Are (That), Ano-hi (That day), Okyaku-san (Guest), Onnanoko-no-hi (Girl’s day), Tsukinomono (The monthly things)… these are all Japanese euphemisms for the word “period.” For a long time, girls in Japan have been taught that...
Japan’s delayed approval of birth control pills The pill became available on the market in 1960 in the U.S. Side effects such as headaches, nausea, weight gain and dizziness were common due to the high level of hormones that the pill contained. As a...
The simple facts about periods and their symptoms Menstruation generally involves the monthly discharge of blood and tissue. Women’s bodies prepare for a possible pregnancy every month by thickening the lining of the uterus. If pregnancy...
The arrival of the first period is a major life event for girls. They usually experience it between the ages of 10-15, and around that time, parents and schools are expected to provide guidance and support for them. In Japan, although some facts...
It’s been a few months since we covered the issue of period poverty in Japan. Tokyo’s municipalities, such as Toshima and Adachi wards, have been quick in response to the issue, and in March, they gave away sanitary products they had stockpiled for...
Established in 1935, Kume is one of Japan’s oldest T-shirt companies and is motivated to provide comfortable, long-lasting products while being environmentally conscious. Kume takes pride in Japanese craftsmanship, and all of its manufacturing...
The Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) is a worldwide textile production certification that ensures the quality of organic fibers. GOTS is known as the world’s strictest textile standard as it assesses all processors, manufacturers and...
Fast fashion refers to cheap, mass-produced clothing that represents the latest trends on the market. Fast-fashion brands can offer thousands of styles at a low price because they rely on offshore mass manufacturing where labor is cheap. They also...
We know that sustainable fashion brands come with quality and ethical assurances, which typically add to their price tags. TSU.NA.GU. is a Japanese fashion brand that challenges this notion by adopting a made-to-order model. In 2018, the brand...
Allbirds is a conscious startup that makes sustainable, stylish and comfortable footwear. Conventionally, the majority of athletic footwear has been made with petroleum-based synthetic materials. However, Allbirds’ manufacturing uses renewable...