The World Briefly
May 01, 2023Alternative Methods
Japan
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Japan approved the sale of an abortion pill for the first time, a move many medical professionals and supporters see as a major milestone for reproductive and women’s rights in the socially conservative country, the Independent reported over the weekend.
The health ministry said the medication – which actually consists of two types of pill – can terminate a pregnancy at up to nine weeks of gestation.
Officials had initially reviewed the drug in January and later asked the public to submit their opinions through an online portal.
Local media reported that the total cost of the medicine and a medical consultation will be more than $730.
Medical professionals welcomed the decision, saying it provided an opportunity to promote greater sex education and awareness about contraceptive methods.
Abortion is legal up to 22 weeks in Japan but it usually requires consent from a spouse or a partner. Until now, a surgical procedure had been the only option.
Even so, abortion is not covered by Japan’s public health insurance and surgical procedures can cost between $730 and $1,500.
Similar abortion pills have been approved for use in numerous countries, such as France, which approved its use in 1988, and the United States, where it has been available since 2000, according to Agence France-Presse.
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