Shohei Ohtani’s second child birth draws criticism over close spacing, sparking medical and Korean media debate

Shohei Ohtani announced on Instagram on June 20 that his wife Mami Ko has given birth to their second child, arriving roughly a year after their daughter and making the siblings “year‑children.” While many congratulated the pair, a portion of Japanese social‑media users criticized the short birth interval, citing increased health risks for mother and baby.

Prominent obstetrician‑gynecologist Dr Song Mi‑Hyun responded on X, questioning the notion of “approval or disapproval” of births and noting that WHO’s recommendation of a 24‑month interval is based on conditions in developing countries and is not a universal rule for Japan. She acknowledged that very short intervals can raise risks such as preterm birth, but emphasized that decisions should be individualized.

Korean sports outlet Sports Chosun reported the backlash, describing the comments as “abnormally malicious” and highlighting the broader social discussion generated by the celebrity birth.

The episode illustrates how a high‑profile personal event can trigger public health debate and cross‑national media attention.