Japan's abortion laws

Archive image. Demonstration on Women's Day, March 8. Eugene Hoshiko / AP  

Japan's abortion laws  

Japan is expected to approve abortion pills after years of struggle 

Decades after other countries, Japan is now expected to approve its first abortion pill, reports CNN. Last Friday, the pill was approved by the country's Ministry of Health, and now only a final approval from the Minister of Health awaits.  

Activists have been fighting this year for the abortion pill to be approved in Japan. Today, only surgical abortion is allowed in the country, including through a method that removes tissue from the uterus with a metal instrument. The abortion pill would allow women to terminate a pregnancy without surgery up to the ninth week of pregnancy. People cross the pedestrian crossing at Shibuya in Tokyo.  

Archive image. Kiichiro Sato / AP

Experts warn that safe abortions do not apply to everyone  

That Japan is now expected to approve the abortion pill mifepristone is described by many in the country as progress for women's reproductive rights. At the same time, experts warn that other factors also affect the availability of safe abortion in the country, CNN and the Japan Times report.  

Gynecologist Mihyon Song raises, among other things, the cost issue and the fact that for married women consent from the partner is required to have an abortion. That law will also apply to the abortion pill, writes CNN.  

Activist Kumi Tsukahara tells the Japan Times that a minimum requirement for equality must be to be able to control one's own pregnancy.  

- Even though this discussion is about medicine, we must not forget that it is a question of human rights, she says.