where can i get a birth certificate for an american child born in Japan?

Answer 1

Ignore the advice to contact DOD - they don't keep such records. US citizens' births abroad are recorded and kept by the State Department.

Whether the child has just been born, or whether you're looking for a copy of a consular report of birth for a child born some time ago, here is everything about it:
http://www.travel.state.gov/family/family_issues/birth/birth_593.html

Answer 2

^^^ Please ignore that dimwit!

Did you register the foreign birth at the US Consulate in Japan? If so the Consular Service can provide a birth certificate.

If you didn't register the birth, you'll need a copy of the Japanese birth certificate (hopefully showing the citizenship of the parents) and a certified translation along with proof of citizenship of the parents at the time of the birth.

If the child was just recently born and you're still in Japan, contact the nearest US Consulate to register the birth.

Answer 3

if it was a military birth, you will need to contact the department of defense in Washington d.c.