Why Is Birth Control Pill Usage So Low in Japan?

Episode 7 of the Portraits of Life in Japan podcast, hosted by Monclou Karoline, titled "Why Is Birth Control Pill Usage So Low in Japan?" was published on April 9, 2024 and runs 24 minutes.

April 9, 2024 ·24m · Portraits of Life in Japan

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Summary

The Land of the Rising Sun approved the production and sale of the oral contraceptive pill in 1999. Nevertheless, 24 years later, its use remains limited. After visiting a women’s clinic in Tokyo for the first time, I realized that only one pack costs USD 20. In a research conducted by Meiji University, Maki Hirayama explains: “In Japan, the prescription and sale of the pill is not covered by health insurance. The monthly cost of the pill, including testing and guidance fees, ranges from 3,000 to 4,000 yen, which is extremely high as compared to some countries where the pill is covered by insurance or distributed free of charge.” Today, I am going to talk about the reasons why contraceptive pill usage is so low in Japan and how was my experience visiting different women's clinics in Saitama and Tokyo. Join Portraits of Life in Japan on Patreon by clicking here! Follow Portraits of Life in Japan on ⁠Instagram⁠ Leave your comments and reviews on ⁠Podchaser.com⁠ Music by Jason Shaw on ⁠⁠Audionautix.com⁠⁠

Episode Description

The Land of the Rising Sun approved the production and sale of the oral contraceptive pill in 1999. Nevertheless, 24 years later, its use remains limited. After visiting a women’s clinic in Tokyo for the first time, I realized that only one pack costs USD 20.

In a research conducted by Meiji University, Maki Hirayama explains: “In Japan, the prescription and sale of the pill is not covered by health insurance. The monthly cost of the pill, including testing and guidance fees, ranges from 3,000 to 4,000 yen, which is extremely high as compared to some countries where the pill is covered by insurance or distributed free of charge.”

Today, I am going to talk about the reasons why contraceptive pill usage is so low in Japan and how was my experience visiting different women's clinics in Saitama and Tokyo.

Join Portraits of Life in Japan on Patreon by clicking here!

Follow Portraits of Life in Japan on ⁠Instagram⁠

Leave your comments and reviews on ⁠Podchaser.com⁠

Music by Jason Shaw on ⁠⁠Audionautix.com⁠⁠

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