List of free period product spots in Japan, tackling period poverty

Have you ever heard of period poverty? It is the lack of access to sanitary products and menstrual hygiene education. Period poverty has recently gained attention in Japan as in other countries, and Japan strives to solve it to achieve women’s wellness. Let’s look at period poverty and the support available in Japan.

Stigma as well as financial distress cause period poverty in Japan

According to a survey published by the government in April, in response to the question, “Have you had difficulty purchasing or obtaining sanitary products since the outbreak of coronavirus?”, 8.2% of the respondents answered “Yes.” By age group, the percentage of those who answered “Yes” was higher among those in their 20s and younger.

The main reason is economic hardships. As reported by the survey, 37.7% answered that their income is low, and 28.7% responded that they have little money to spend on themselves.

However, financial distress may not be the only cause. When providing reasons for being unable to get period products, 3.3% felt embarrassed to ask parents to buy them, another 3.3% experienced their parents refusing to purchase products for them. In the background, there is a stigma that menstruation is embarrassing, a lack of understanding of a period and neglect.

Also, there is a loss of opportunity due to period poverty. Due to a lack of sanitary products during menstruation, 40.1% have given up private events, 34.1% felt unable to concentrate on school or work and 26.2% have been late, left early or absent from school or work.

Misetan launched webpage showing free sanitary product spots

In Japan, as of July 2021, 581 local governments have implemented or are planning to implement initiatives to combat period poverty. They have started to offer free napkins in public facilities and schools to distribute. However, awareness of these services is low.

To address this issue, Misetan has launched a website that lists distribution locations for free sanitary products. At this time, Misetan only has information for Tokyo, but they encourage people to provide them with information to make it for all of Japan. If you are looking for free period product spots in other areas, please check here or research local governments near you. They may have such a service.

Understanding the root of period poverty helps to solve it

Period poverty is often invisible because many tend to hide it. Even when they know where they can get free period products, some don’t use the service because they feel embarrassed to receive them in person.

Free period products definitely help those who suffer from period poverty, while we still need to work on reducing the stigma about periods. It will take a long time to remove the stigma since traditional sex education might have built it in the first place. For your friends, partners and family members, understanding what they are facing and realizing the stigma is essential.