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Japan: Difference between revisions

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In Japan, you will find very high-quality and responsive healthcare. However, you will also find that certain resources, whether it be lesser-known contraceptives or certain abortion methods, are unavailable. Generally, contraception (birth control) and emergency contraception (morning after pill) are legal but require prescriptions. They are not covered by NIH, the Japanese national healthcare system, and birth control pills were only legalized in 1999. You will be able to get STI tests at many facilities, and there are no known travel restrictions assigned to people with STIs. You'l be able to find mostly pads and tampons in Japan, but menstrual cups will be much more difficult to locate. Maternity leave is protected, though with only 60% of wage coverage. Abortion is technically only legal under certain circumstances, but the law is far-reaching and women seem to find adequate coverage. The abortion pill, also known as a medical abortion, is not available.
In Japan, you will find very high-quality and responsive healthcare. However, you will also find that certain resources, whether it be lesser-known contraceptives or certain abortion methods, are unavailable. Generally, contraception (birth control) and emergency contraception (morning after pill) are legal but require prescriptions. They are not covered by NIH, the Japanese national healthcare system, and birth control pills were only legalized in 1999. You will be able to get STI tests at many facilities, and there are no known travel restrictions assigned to people with STIs. You'll be able to find mostly pads and tampons in Japan, but menstrual cups will be much more difficult to locate. Maternity leave is protected, though with only 60% of wage coverage. Abortion is technically only legal under certain circumstances, but the law is far-reaching and women seem to find adequate coverage. The abortion pill, also known as a medical abortion, is not available.


==Contraception (Birth Control)== <!--T:4-->
==Contraception (Birth Control)== <!--T:4-->
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For birth control pills, you can say "経口避妊薬" (けいこうひにんやく, "keikouhininyaku" in Japanese). The most common way to refer to birth control pills is "ピル" (piru). Note that only low-dosage pills are sold in Japan. You'll need a prescription. Check out this [http://www.survivingnjapan.com/2012/05/how-to-find-clinic-or-hospital-that.html useful guide] to finding a clinic that will prescribe for you.
For birth control pills, you can say "経口避妊薬" (けいこうひにんやく, "keikouhininyaku" in Japanese). The most common way to refer to birth control pills is "ピル" (piru). Note that only low-dosage pills are sold in Japan. You'll need a prescription. [https://healthytokyo.com/blog/birth-control-pills-in-japan-and-other-contraceptives-a-basic-guide/?utm_source=gynopedia Here is a comprehensive guide.] Check out this [http://www.survivingnjapan.com/2012/05/how-to-find-clinic-or-hospital-that.html useful guide] to finding a clinic that will prescribe for you.


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* [https://healthytokyo.com/blog/booking-doctor-appointments-online-in-japan/?utm_source=gynopedia HealthyTokyo.com provides appointments for clinics prescribing birth control pills across Japan]
* [http://www.jfpa.or.jp/ Japan Family Planning Association]
* [http://www.jfpa.or.jp/ Japan Family Planning Association]
* [http://pctclinic.com/birth-control/ Primary Care Tokyo]: "Tri-phasic and monophasic oral contraceptives are available at the clinic for dispensing. Prescriptions can also be issued if dispensing at an outside pharmacy is preferred... We do not place or remove IUDs at our clinic... Please note that consultations for dispensing of oral contraceptives and the cost of the medications are not covered by National Health Insurance. Consultations that are only for the prescription of oral contraceptives are ¥3,000 and the cost of a one month supply dispensed in-house is ¥2,500 (plus tax). Prescriptions can also be issued in which case the cost of the medication may vary depending on the pharmacy."
* [http://pctclinic.com/birth-control/ Primary Care Tokyo]: "Tri-phasic and monophasic oral contraceptives are available at the clinic for dispensing. Prescriptions can also be issued if dispensing at an outside pharmacy is preferred... We do not place or remove IUDs at our clinic... Please note that consultations for dispensing of oral contraceptives and the cost of the medications are not covered by National Health Insurance. Consultations that are only for the prescription of oral contraceptives are ¥3,000 and the cost of a one month supply dispensed in-house is ¥2,500 (plus tax). Prescriptions can also be issued in which case the cost of the medication may vary depending on the pharmacy."
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*[https://healthytokyo.com/blog/birth-control-pills-in-japan-and-other-contraceptives-a-basic-guide/?utm_source=gynopedia Here is a helpful guide to find morning after pill in Japan.]
* In Japan, you can purchase dedicated emergency contraception (morning after pill) that is progestin-only. You can find NorLevo 0.75 mg (take 2 pills within 120 hours after unprotected sex).<ref>[http://ec.princeton.edu/worldwide/ Princeton EC Website]</ref>
* In Japan, you can purchase dedicated emergency contraception (morning after pill) that is progestin-only. You can find NorLevo 0.75 mg (take 2 pills within 120 hours after unprotected sex).<ref>[http://ec.princeton.edu/worldwide/ Princeton EC Website]</ref>
* If you can't access dedicated emergency contraception, you can use regular birth control as replacement EC. To do this, you must remember that, in 28-day packs, only the first 21 pills can be used. You can take Duoluton or Planovar (for both of these brands, take 2 pills within 120 hours after unprotected sex and take 2 more pills 12 hours later).<ref>[http://ec.princeton.edu/worldwide/ Princeton EC Website]</ref>
* If you can't access dedicated emergency contraception, you can use regular birth control as replacement EC. To do this, you must remember that, in 28-day packs, only the first 21 pills can be used. You can take Duoluton or Planovar (for both of these brands, take 2 pills within 120 hours after unprotected sex and take 2 more pills 12 hours later).<ref>[http://ec.princeton.edu/worldwide/ Princeton EC Website]</ref>
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For testing facilities, please visit city pages, like the [[Tokyo]], [[Osaka]] and [[Kyoto]] pages, for local recommendations.
*[https://healthytokyo.com/hiv/?utm_source=gynopedia HIV Home Test Kits are available online in Japan.] They are accurate, discreet and can be more cost effective than visiting a clinic, waiting and returning again for your results.
*For testing facilities, please visit city pages, like the [[Tokyo]], [[Osaka]] and [[Kyoto]] pages, for local recommendations.


====Support==== <!--T:53-->
====Support==== <!--T:53-->


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* [https://healthytokyo.com/hiv-testing-japan-complete-guide/?utm_source=gynopedia Here is a helpful guide for HIV testing centers across Japan.]
* International Medical Centre of Japan: Toyama 1-21-1, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Phone: (03) 3202 7181  
* International Medical Centre of Japan: Toyama 1-21-1, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Phone: (03) 3202 7181  
* Metropolitan Clinic Komagome: Honkomagome 3-18-22, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Phone: (03) 3823 2101
* Metropolitan Clinic Komagome: Honkomagome 3-18-22, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Phone: (03) 3823 2101
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===Costs=== <!--T:55-->
===Costs=== <!--T:55-->
[https://healthytokyo.com/hiv/?utm_source=gynopedia You can get a HIV Home Test Kit for ¥6000 here.]


==Medication & Vaccines== <!--T:56-->
==Medication & Vaccines== <!--T:56-->
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In Japan, you can find pads, tampons and menstrual cups. For pads, you may notice that many are bulky and wide (with wings). You can also buy pantyliners. You can find tampons with applicators. For menstrual cups, most brands (like DivaCup, MoonCup and LadyCup) are not carried. But there is a website for [http://lunettejapan.com/ Lunette Japan] so that may be your best bet -- otherwise, order a menstrual cup brand of your choice online.
[https://healthytokyo.com/blog/sanitary-napkins-and-tampons-in-japan/?utm_source=gynopedia Here is a helpful guide about tampons in Japan.] In Japan, you can find pads, tampons and menstrual cups. For pads, you may notice that many are bulky and wide (with wings). You can also buy pantyliners. You can find tampons with applicators. For menstrual cups, most brands (like DivaCup, MoonCup and LadyCup) are not carried. But there is a website for [http://lunettejapan.com/ Lunette Japan] so that may be your best bet -- otherwise, order a menstrual cup brand of your choice online.


===Costs=== <!--T:65-->
===Costs=== <!--T:65-->
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===What to Get & Where to Get It=== <!--T:68-->
===What to Get & Where to Get It=== <!--T:68-->
Any women's clinic will perform gynaecological exams (Pap smears and STI testing), though it is good to be aware that most gynaecologists in Japan are male. Furthermore, it is common practice for exams to be performed with the doctor behind a modesty sheet that lies over the patient's stomach, so it is common not to see the doctor at all during the procedure and only meet them afterward when you meet to discuss results. Many doctors also will use an ultrasound wand with a camera on it to view the patient's reproductive organs, and some will even show you live during the procedure. With all this said, the vast majority of clinics are clean, professional and very friendly, so while the procedure can be different from what many non-Japanese people are used to, the staff are invested in making the patients feel comfortable, so be sure to discuss any concerns with the staff before beginning.


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Third Trimester (Abortion): 妊娠後期(中絶)(nin-shin-kou-ki) (chuu-zetsu)
Third Trimester (Abortion): 妊娠後期(中絶)(nin-shin-kou-ki) (chuu-zetsu)
Maternal Protection Act: 母体保護法 (bo-tai-hogo-hou)
Maternal Protection Act: 母体保護法 (bo-tai-hogo-hou)
[https://healthytokyo.com/blog/abortion-in-japan-what-you-need-to-know/?utm_source=gynopedia HealthyTokyo.com can make appointments for abortions throughout Japan.]
'''Resources & Reading Materials:'''
• Reddit Thread: [https://www.reddit.com/r/japanlife/comments/7x32lu/medical_abortion_in_japan/ Medical Abortion in Japan?, 2018]


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* [https://healthytokyo.com/blog/booking-doctor-appointments-online-in-japan/?utm_source=gynopedia HealthyTokyo.com appointment service and free chat support.]
* [http://fewjapan.com/ FEW: For Empowering Women in Japan]: "For Empowering Women (FEW) in Japan is an exceptionally active and ever-growing Tokyo-based non-profit business and social networking organization whose mission is to “enable internationally-minded women in Japan to achieve their full professional and personal potential. Originally standing for “Foreign Executive Women”, who were literally “few” when the organization was founded in 1981 by two foreign female entrepreneurs,  FEW has evolved tremendously over its almost 35-year history, having empowered thousands of women in and outside of Japan."
* [http://fewjapan.com/ FEW: For Empowering Women in Japan]: "For Empowering Women (FEW) in Japan is an exceptionally active and ever-growing Tokyo-based non-profit business and social networking organization whose mission is to “enable internationally-minded women in Japan to achieve their full professional and personal potential. Originally standing for “Foreign Executive Women”, who were literally “few” when the organization was founded in 1981 by two foreign female entrepreneurs,  FEW has evolved tremendously over its almost 35-year history, having empowered thousands of women in and outside of Japan."
* Tokyo Women's Foundation: 3-8-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-Ku, Tokyo 100, Tel: 81 3 3213 0021, Fax: 81 3 3213 0185  
* Tokyo Women's Foundation: 3-8-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-Ku, Tokyo 100, Tel: 81 3 3213 0021, Fax: 81 3 3213 0185  
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