Contraceptive kit launches for better sex education in Japan

Many Japanese do not have the opportunity to receive quality, international-standard sex education in school. Therefore, many young people would not have seen actual contraceptive products before they needed to use the items. This can lead to feelings of guilt or making uneducated decisions regarding sex and contraception. Simultaneously, Japan’s estimated contraceptive pill and IUD use falls well below the world average.

A citizen group, #emergency contraceptives at pharmacies, launched The Pocket Contraceptive Class for educational use at schools and pharmacies. It is a teaching kit that provides contraception awareness in an easy-to-understand manner. Professionals like nurses and pharmacists can provide individual guidance to consultants by showing contraceptive items. Because such kits are not distributed in Japan, the project team designed it by referencing “Contraceptive Kits” used overseas. They have developed a kit so users can learn by actually seeing and touching the samples.

The set comes with samples of emergency contraceptives, birth control pills, condoms, IUDs, pregnancy tests and reading materials for each item. Additionally, cards included in the kit give information on contraceptive methods, sexual violence, sexually transmitted diseases and consultation sites.

Spreading awareness of safe and accessible contraception

#emergency contraceptives at pharmacies’ crowdfunding launched last year succeeded in realizing their goals, including the kit creation. They have already made 300 kits and plan to distribute them for free to schools and pharmacies who have put in requests. The team is also considering producing more kits. The project team released a brochure and a video named “Emergency Contraception Pill Guide,” as well. These are currently available online.

Japan has not made contraceptive methods accessible to all women. The WHO clearly states, “All women and girls at risk of an unintended pregnancy have a right to access emergency contraception and these methods should be routinely included within all national family planning programmes.” Quality education is key so more people will realize the gap and raise their voices for a better system. We can expect the Pocket Contraceptive Class to help the movement.