3. I don’t want children right now. What should I do?
• If you don’t want to have children right now, you can avoid getting pregnant by using contraception.
•In Japan, there are not many contraceptive methods that can be achieved by the woman alone.The cooperation of the male partner is very important.Men should take responsibility and think about it together with their partners.
• There is no such thing as “safe days” (days when a woman will not get pregnant even if they do not use contraception). All women who menstruate have the potential to get pregnant.
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What kinds of contraception can be used in Japan? | Where can I get it? | How much does it cost? |
|---|---|---|
Condoms for men | 100-yen shops, convenience stores, and drugstores. Can be bought without having to show ID, e.g. resident card. | About ¥50-100 each. Can also be bought online for ¥1,500 for a box of 100 (¥10-19 each). |
Oral contraceptives (OC) | OB-GYN department.Be examined by a doctor and obtain a prescription. | The first time will cost about ¥10,000 for the doctor’s examination, blood tests, and prescription, etc.For the second and subsequent times, it will cost about ¥2,000-3,000 for one month’s supply. Not covered by health insurance. |
Intra-uterine system (IUS/IUD)  | OB-GYN department.The doctor will examine you and insert it on the spot. An examination is needed prior to insertion. Regular examinations will also be conducted after insertion. | Approx. ¥40,000. Once inserted, it will continue to be effective for 3-5 years. Not covered by health insurance. However, people with painful or heavy periods can have an IUS/IUD inserted as treatment to alleviate them. Such cases are covered by health insurance, reducing the cost to around ¥12,000. |
Emergency contraceptive (morning-after pill) | Requires an examination at the OB-GYN department and a prescription. Note: Pilot sales began at 145 pharmacies nationwide on November 28, 2023. It can be purchased without a doctor's consultation and prescription. List of pharmacies handling the medicines Website of Japan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers' Association Research Project for Improving the Environment for the Sale of Emergency Contraceptives *Check the four checkpoints and click on “confirm” to see the pharmacy list. | Not covered by health insurance. |
EllaOne can be taken within 120 hours (5 days) after contraceptive failure, but has not been approved in Japan.
Contraceptives that are unavailable in Japan
Female condom Vaginal ring Implant Hormonal injection Contraceptive patch
Find out more!
“Ninshin in Japan” website, Kumustaka - Association for Living Together with Migrants
Find out more! Column: Bringing Medicines into Japan
• Bringing more than one month’s supply of medicines into Japan requires Import Confirmation Certificate procedures. Submit the “Import Confirmation Form” to customs along with the doctor’s prescription or medical certificate, and the product information for the medicine. Giving or selling medicine you brought into Japan to others is illegal and considered a violation of the Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Act, punishable by 1 to 2 years in prison or a fine of 1 to 2 million yen.
Absolutely do not do this.
Personal importation of pharmaceuticals and other products (Ministry of Health Labour and Welfare)
• Import Confirmation Certificate procedures: The Customs procedures takes about two weeks. Information for those who are bringing medicines for personal use into Japan (Japanese)
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