Half of the Respondents Support Japan’s First Abortion Pill

Japan has approved an abortion pill for the first time, allowing early-stage pregnancies up to nine weeks to be terminated. Previously, surgical procedures were the only approved method of termination. However, the limitation of the approved abortion pill in Japan includes reduced effectiveness after nine weeks of pregnancy and the requirement for prior consent from partners or spouses.

While activists view the approval of the abortion pill as progress, they are pushing for the approval of emergency contraception, such as the morning-after pill, to be covered by public health insurance, ensuring access to all members of society.

Hence, Real Research, an online survey app, launched a survey on Japan approving abortion pill for the first time get gauge public opinion about Japan’s first abortion pill.

Highlights:

• Most respondents (69.25%) are aware of Japan approving abortion pills to terminate pregnancies up to nine weeks.
• 32.82% of respondents  believe legal abortion in Japan would allow women more control over their reproductive choices.
• 55.48% of respondents support Japan approving abortion pills.

As part of the survey on Japan’s first abortion pill, it is essential to understand the level of awareness among respondents regarding this development. The findings of this survey can provide insights into the public’s perception of reproductive rights and access to healthcare, shedding light on potential challenges and opportunities for policymakers and healthcare providers.

According to our survey data, we found that a majority of respondents (69.25%) were well aware of the news of abortion in Japan, compared to 30.75% who were unaware.

Impacts of Japan Approving Abortion Pills

When asked about how the availability of the abortion pill could positively impact women’s reproductive rights in Japan, 32.82% of respondents believed that it would give women more control over their reproductive system.

Another 25.56% believed that it could change the cultural stigma around abortion in Japan, while 25.18% believed that it would increase access to safe abortions. Only 16.44% of respondents stated other factors.

These findings suggest that the availability of the abortion pill is seen as a step towards improving reproductive rights and access to healthcare in Japan.

Read Also: Over 50% of Respondents Support Women’s Abortion Rights

Limitations of the Approved Abortion Pill in Japan

One example of a social limitation of abortion pills is that some women may not have a partner or may be in an abusive relationship where seeking consent could be dangerous. Additionally, the opposition from various religious and conservative groups could lead to challenges in the implementation and access to the pill.

The survey on Japan approving abortion pills then asked about the most significant limitation, 24.67% of respondents believed that cultural and social stigma due to Japan’s strong cultural emphasis on motherhood and family values would be a significant limitation.

Additionally, 16.76% of respondents felt that the requirement of consent from the partner could limit accessibility to the abortion pill.

16.34% of respondents said that the availability of the pill could face opposition from various religious and conservative groups. Another limitation highlighted by the survey was that the pill is most effective up to nine weeks of pregnancy, making it non-viable for women who are further along.

Finally, 12.79% of respondents pointed out that the overall cost of abortion may limit accessibility to women of low-income households.

Read Also: Six-week abortion ban in Florida Could Worsen the State’s Healthcare, 33% Say

Cost of the Abortion Pill in Japan

The cost of healthcare services and medication can be a significant concern for individuals and families, particularly those with low-income households. High prices for necessary medical treatments can limit access and disproportionately affect those who are economically disadvantaged.

Following the announcement that the abortion pill and consultation would cost around 100,000 yen ($727), respondents were asked whether they believed the cost was reasonable. 36.23% believed the price was very reasonable, while 33.22% believed it was somewhat reasonable.

On the other hand, 19.34% believed it was somewhat unreasonable, and 11.21% believed it was very unreasonable. These results suggest that while a significant portion of respondents found the cost reasonable, there is still some concern about the affordability of the abortion pill and consultation.

Furthermore, the abortion pill in Japan is not covered by public health insurance. We asked the respondents about their opinion on whether the abortion pill should or should not be covered under insurance.

More than half of the respondents (53%) said that abortion should not be covered under public health insurance, compared to the other half (47%) who said they should be covered under public health insurance.

Likelihood of Japan Improving Access to Emergency Contraception

The issue of limited access to emergency contraception in Japan has been another concern for activists who are pushing for change. Currently, emergency contraception can only be obtained with a doctor’s prescription and must be taken in front of a pharmacist.

To gauge the public’s perception of this, the following poll asked the respondents how likely Japan is to improve access to emergency contraception in the near future. The findings show that over half of the respondents (51.96%) believe it is highly unlikely, while 26.25% said it is somewhat unlikely.

On the other hand, 17.31% believe it is somewhat likely and only 4.48% said it is highly likely.

Read Also: 55% Say It Is Justifiable to Punish Anyone Who Commits Abortion After Made Illegal

Respondents’ Views on Japan Approving the Abortion Pill

Lastly, the survey poll asked the respondents about their stance on Japan approving the pill. Results indicated that a majority of 55.48% of respondents supported the move, while less than the majority (44.52%) opposed it.