This has been discussed in the country for years: until now, in Japan L’medical abortion it was not allowed. To request a surgical abortion, one had to spend 100,000 to 200,000 yen (600 to 1,300 euros). Even a pill in the morning is not available, and therefore those who want to terminate the pregnancy did not have much choice. Finally, the Ministry of Health approved abortion pill which will make the practice easier, more accessible and cheaper.
In Japan, a 1949 law governs IVG. Women can have an abortion before the 22nd week of pregnancy (far ahead of Italy, where abortion is allowed until the 12th week). However, Japanese law provides for some restrictions that seem to be a legacy of a patriarchal society. For example, if a woman is married, she must obtain her husband’s consent for an abortion.. Added to these rules is the restraint of doctors, who often refuse to perform abortions even on unmarried women without the permission of the alleged father. This, of course, becomes especially problematic in cases of sexual assault.
Thus, despite the law, abortion in Japan is not so easy and clandestine abortions are widespread with all the risks to women’s health. In addition, emergency contraception can only be purchased with a doctor’s permission, and the pill must be taken in the presence of a pharmacist to prevent it from being sold on the black market. Activists hope that with the introduction of abortion pills into the pharmaceutical market, VVG will become less invasive and, above all, more affordable.
The Japanese Ministry of Health has authorized the sale of a two-drug drug called Mefeego Pack produced by the British company Linepharma. It is the active ingredient mifepristone (sold in Italy under the name RU486) followed 48 hours later by misoprostol. It will only be available during 9 weeks of pregnancy, but hopefully it will be a significant step forward.
Source: Elle