Japan's doctors finally accept the pill

Japan may be a pioneer in developing the smartest robots and the most advanced computers but it was only yesterday, four decades…

Japan may be a pioneer in developing the smartest robots and the most advanced computers but it was only yesterday, four decades after the West, that the contraceptive pill went on sale in this technological giant. A medical panel approved the use of the female contraceptive pill by prescription on June 2nd, after decades of debate over fears of sexual promiscuity, the spread of AIDS and side effects. The pill was due to be introduced on previous occasions but had been stalled until now.

"It is the first major step and an encouraging step for all women in Japan," Ms Tomoko Saotome, a gynaecologist at the Aoyama Hospital in central Tokyo said. "But we still have a long way to go."

Pharmaceutical companies chose September 2nd as the starting date for sales, although few pharmacies carried the contraceptive on the first day and there was only a trickle of prescriptions.

Ms Yukari Sugimura, head of the Japan Family Planning Association Clinic in central Tokyo, said the clinic wrote prescriptions for 11 patients. "They seemed excited to be able to obtain what they had hoped for," she said. "They are happy that they can finally get hold of pills that work with a minimum dosage for contraception."

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But other doctors said the variety of contraceptive pills available was limited and women could not get financial support from state health insurance. "It will take more time to catch up with the United States and Europe," said Ms Saotome.

Ms Ruriko Tsushima, a gynaecologist and vice-president of the Professional Women's Coalition for Sexuality and Health said it took far too long for the pill to be approved in Japan. "For a long time, the ministry did not even try to get rid of prejudice surrounding the pill such as side effects and concern over spreading sexually-transmitted diseases," she said.

Despite the long haul, Ms Tsushima said she did not expect the contraceptive pill to catch on as it had in other industrialised countries. "I don't expect the pill to be used widely among Japanese women because the concept of taking full control of your own body has yet to mature in Japan. Basically, there is a lack of recognition among the Japanese women that they are responsible for their reproductive health."