Women’s Wellness in Japan

While Japan has many social issues to tackle, it is crucial first to care for all people’s wellness as a fundamental asset. The WHO defines wellness as the realization of the fullest potential of an individual physically, psychologically, socially, spiritually and economically.

Plenty of policies and support should be in place and available for women because their body goes through changes throughout their lifetime. Various life events such as menstruation, pregnancy and menopause affect their mental and physical health enormously.

However, women’s wellness generally is not considered a priority in Japan. Japan’s significantly low ranking in the gender gap index shows this. A low ranking indicates difficulty for women to pursue education and career opportunities, potentially leading them to poverty. It can also be the cause of economic loss for society.

Statistics related to women’s wellness in the world and Japan
Case studies on women’s wellness in Japan
5 Japanese organizations promoting women’s wellness
Femtech in Japan
5 sustainable femtech brands in Japan

Statistics related to women’s wellness in the world and Japan

Period poverty:

A survey reports 20.1% of Japanese high school and university female students feel the financial burden caused by periods. All menstrual-related products are sold at full price and taxed 10% in Japan. (#Minna no Seiri)

Period pain:

Only 20% of Japanese women take painkillers when they feel period cramps. On the other hand, 48% only take them when they can no longer handle the pain, while the remaining 32% said they never take them. (Bufferin)
A recent survey result estimates Japan’s total labor loss due to menstrual symptoms adding up to about 491 billion yen per year. (PR TIMES)

Birth control methods:

Among all contraceptive methods available in Japan, the main method used is condoms and ranks the highest at 34.9%, strikingly higher than the world average. Also, Japan has the highest rates of respondents stating that their partners decide whether to use a condom (21% while not on their period, 14% during their period). (Clue’s study with KI-CURT)
Japan’s estimated contraceptive pill use is 2.9% among women between 15 and 49 years old, falling well below the world average of 8.0%.
IUDs are only used by 0.4% of women aged between 15 and 49 years old in Japan. The world average of women who use IUDs is 8.4%, higher than that of those who use birth control pills. (United Nations)

Age of consent:

Japan’s age of consent is at 16. In June 2023, Japan’s parliament raised the age of sexual consent from 13 to 16, marking the first change to this limit in over a century.

Abortion rate:

In fiscal 2021, more than 126,000 women underwent induced abortions, signifying an approximately 11 percent decrease from the preceding fiscal year. Specifically, around nine thousand abortions were conducted for patients under 20 years old in Japan during fiscal 2021. ( Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare)

Vaccination:

Japan’s HPV vaccine rate is at 14.4%. Many developed countries in the world have vaccination rates of more than 60%. (Minpapi)

Cancer screening rates:

Japan has a breast cancer screening rate of 47.4% of women aged between 40 and 69. Breast cancer stands as the leading form of cancer among women in Japan, resulting in the loss of over 14,000 lives annually to the disease.
In 2022, 43.6% of Japanese women aged between 20 and 69 years old had cervical cancer screening. (Ganjoho)

Case studies on women’s wellness in Japan

Limited sex education

Japan needs to improve its sex education to resolve many of the issues around women’s wellness. Firstly, Japan’s approach toward sex education significantly differs from those in other countries, which teaches students the biological details of reproduction in greater detail. Many Japanese textbooks lack such information. Secondly, Japanese sex education often fails to feature topics such as gender equality and relationships. These are all topics that UNESCO’s International Technical Guidance on Sexuality Education recommends schools to cover. While Japan is behind incorporating the guide, many countries use it as a standard for their curriculums.

Finally, Japan’s approach towards reproductive health education also is conservative compared to international standards. Though some facts about menstruation are included in the Japanese curriculum, the focus is mainly on the reproductive side of the story. One of the standard primary school health and physical education textbooks does not mention period symptoms, associated products or how to take care of period pain.

Period poverty

The issue of period poverty was not a well-known issue in Japan, but it recently has been receiving public attention. A voluntary group #Minna no Seiri (Menstruation for Everyone), released survey results on the financial burden caused by periods. The survey targeted females in their 20s, and 20.1% responded they have had difficulties buying sanitary items in the past year. Among them, 26.2% answered they used non-sanitary items such as toilet paper.

Thankfully, the results of the Minnano seiri survey, raised public awareness about period poverty. By providing free period products at schools and public facilities, many municipalities have started to fight period poverty. Moreover, the government followed this menstrual movement by adding 1.35 billion yen to state subsidies. The government aims for local municipalities to financially support NPOs promoting women’s health and well-being. The fund is intended to enable them to distribute menstrual pads to all who are in need.

Birth control accessibility

The accessibility to a variety of contraception is essential for women’s sexual and reproductive health and rights. However, many women in Japan struggle to access reliable and affordable birth control methods compared to other developed countries. The types of birth control are also limited. Male condoms are the main form of protection, and a fraction of women use birth control pills or IUDs. As they are excluded from most health insurance coverage, pills and IUDs for birth control purposes are typically too expensive for many women even if they want to use them. Other forms of contraception, often used overseas, such as birth control implants and contraceptive injections, are not available in Japan.

Moreover, emergency contraception (EC), the morning after pill, can only be obtained with a prescription in Japan. It also costs between 6,000 and 20,000 yen in total, which is too high for many women, especially young women in school or with low income. The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare decided to resume the discussion of prescription-free EC in June 2021. The trial implementation of over-the-counter sales for the morning-after pill started in November 2023 in each prefecture across Japan.

5 Japanese organizations promoting women’s wellness

WOMEN’S WELLNESS ACTION – WOMEN’S WELLNESS ACTION is a community with a vision that envisions women’s health as a catalyst for global change. Their mission involves advocating for sexual and reproductive health and rights. Through events and seminars, they aim to prevent unwanted pregnancies and gynecological diseases while actively working to reclaim women’s human rights. Information about women’s health is disseminated through their Instagram platform.

The Seiri Kaiteki Project – The Seiri Kaiteki Project, also known as the Project for Comfy Period, is dedicated to raising awareness about the significance of women’s well-being and the essential support required in workplaces and society. The project aims to create a society where women face no challenges due to menstruation. One of their initiatives involves conducting webinars for women, featuring collaborations with female celebrities and medical experts.

Pilcon – Pilcon is an nonprofit organization promoting much needed sex education in Japanese schools and offering educational services to students and their parents.

Redbox Japan – Redbox Japan is a community-based charity, and their project aims to eliminate period poverty by providing free sanitary napkins to schools.

#Nande naino – #Nandenaino is a grass-roots initiative that advocates Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights in Japan. Their movement aims for access to a wider range of contraceptives for women, including better access to EC.

Femtech in Japan

“Femtech” has been a trending term for the last few years because femtech itself is an emerging industry in Japan. It refers to products, software and technologies that cater to women’s wellness and health, including menstruation care, fertility solutions and menopausal lifestyles. Femtech offers assistance to women with various reproductive needs and circumstances, which is key to their well-being. More and more consumers in Japan are showing interest in femtech products and services, and the market is expected to continue growing.

5 sustainable femtech brands in Japan

Bé-A – Bé-A is a Japanese menstrual underwear brand specializing in effective blood absorbency and leak-proof construction. Additionally, the brand provides a dedicated laundry powder designed for the removal of blood stains.

Waphyto – Waphyto, prioritizes environmental respect and manufacturing transparency. Their products, including intimate wash, composed of 100% natural plant essential oils, are free from parabens, sulfates, preservatives, synthetic colors and fragrances. More than 90% of their product range is vegan.

Ashita Watashi wa Kaki no Ki ni Noboru – Ashita Watashi wa Kaki no Ki ni Noboru focuses on intimate care and develops products that cater to women’s concerns. The brand also aims to revitalize a declining agricultural industry and reduce food waste.

Rinē – Rinē offers absorbent underwear and bras, featuring original technology and comfort. They use sustainable materials such as TENCEL.

I _ for ME – I _ for ME, founded by a university student, created wellness-focused Okaeri shorts for women, designed with women’s comfort and personal fulfilment in mind.