View Health:Contraception
Condoms
The male condom is the most popular method of contraception in Japan, where a quarter of the world’s condoms are used. Condoms are the choice for 80 percent of Japanese couples who use contraception, compared to 10 percent of Western couples. If your partner is Western, then Japanese condoms may be a little on the snug side. Condoms are readily available throughout Japan in chemists, supermarkets, convenience stores, specialist stores, and vending machines. The female condom became available in Japan from the year 2000.
The pill
Japan did not legalise the low-hormone birth control pill for contraceptive purposes until 1998. The main government argument against the availability of the pill for contraceptive use was that it would decrease the use of condoms and thus increase the spread of AIDS. Also, the publicity of the side effects of the pill has outweighed that of the publicized benefits.
There are some foreign doctors in Japan who are confident about prescribing the pill. You should take your current brand with you if you have it. Prescriptions for the pill are not covered by insurance. Most Western women I know received the pill from their home countries. This works if you visit your home country regularly, as it is highly unlikely that your doctor will prescribe the pill to you over the telephone. If your doctor is co-operative, then someone may collect your prescription and mail it to you.
Diaphragms
Diaphragms are not popular in Japan but, again, check with a foreign doctor or a midwife. Western women who use a diaphragm get it fitted in their home countries and bring extra spermicide with them as it has a long shelf life and you need a prescription for spermicide from pharmacies in Japan.
IUDs
IUDs are also not popular in Japan and you should check that your doctor is capable of fitting one. If you have an IUD fitted in your home country and experience problems whilst in Japan, you should visit a foreign doctor.
The rhythm method
You should bring booklets and information on the rhythm method from the family planning clinics in your home country. In Japan, accurate information on this topic is scarce and rarely in English.
Emergency contraception
The availability of the ‘morning-after pill’ has been and still is affected by similar issues as the regular pill, although it is available. See a foreign doctor as soon as possible, because a Japanese doctor may urge you to wait until you think you are pregnant, and then suggest an abortion.