Mefeego Pack approved as 1st abortion pill in Japan

There were 126,174 abortions in Japan in fiscal 2021, according to the health ministry.

Interestingly, that is about 345 a day, about 1 annually for every 189 women (aged 15-49). And the number of abortions has apparently fallen dramatically each of the past seven years.

https://www.statista.com/statistics/1075515/japan-number-induced-abortions/

Finally - Japan moving into the 21st Century and moving on in many cases from the trauma of a surgical abortion. I'm not quite sure about the comment above about 'fighting a declining population' when this is a merely safer alternative for a woman who be carrying out a termination.

Good for Japan. Good for women's rights and health.

Way to go Japan! Let’s fight a declining population with abortion pills so we can kill the unborn and future generations. Unbelievable and honestly just pure evil!

So, you want to deprive women of their right to determine their reproduction? Sounds misogynistic. Take your US christian attitude away from Japan.

Way to go Japan! Let’s fight a declining population with abortion pills so we can kill the unborn and future generations. Unbelievable and honestly just pure evil!

What Japan doesn't need is far right religious zealots* telling its women how to manage their health and reproduction. And with its declining population (no bad thing in an overcrowded island), it doesn't want 100,000 unwanted children every year.

From following other channels where the topic is discussed, those who are pro forced birth are also those who are least likely to want to pay for the unwanted children to have good upbringings if they are actually born.

*As a point of note, the Bible makes a single mention of abortion - and that is ironically instructions of how to cause a miscarriage (essentially what this pill does).

“Way to go Japan! Let’s fight a declining population with abortion pills so we can kill the unborn and future generations. Unbelievable and honestly just pure evil!”

Obviously this poster is an out-and-out Christian fundamentalist who’s more concerned about welfare of fetuses than about welfare of newborn babies and mothers.

The moral decline continues as we nosedive into decadence and more under age promiscuity no doubt.

Women can do what they want with their bodies, until baby can be consedered a living thing of its own.

Although this pill is an improvement, it is still a farcry from what Europe offers : pill free or nearly free, no question asked and no need to go to hospital.

Way to go but women have been surely importing such medication for long time I assume.

Bob

Immature and regressive laws in some US states have no bearing on this matter. We should encourage young people to behave not promote promiscuity.

Even married couples frequently need it.

Sorry but sex is 100% natural, we are made for it, and 100% enjoyable when performed in the right way and under the right circumstances. Sex has existed since time beginning.

Last thing people be thinking about bringing a baby into the world, when they are having passionate sex,they generally throw caution to the wind,if they accept the responsibility of their consequences,if make even better

Lots of women may have abortion, because they do not want to be reminded of the man that impregnated them, having to deal with him the rest of your life, arguing for the care and responsibility of the child

Well, it's better than gin and coat hangers.

Because Mefeego's possible side effects include abdominal pain and bleeding, women who take the pill must stay in hospital until the abortion is confirmed by doctors.

If they're gonna have to give up that surgical abortion money, they want to at least get some hospitalization money to make up for it.

Two questions:

Why only so late while western countries have this already since decades?

Why now while Japan is facing steepest decline in population?

Human life is apparently of no value. This is not a religious statement but a truly humanist viewpoint.

It's a very sad reality that many people are more defensive of the lives of puppies and kittens(which I support) than the lives of the possible next Einsteins.

Yes, human life is valuable, especially of those with no ability to defend themselves.

Herve, people do what they feel is in their best, interest you are no exception

Garlic,why would a Japanese woman,want children with an unemotional Japanese man,who cannot fulfill his own emotions,and cannot be there emotional for her and her child

Does not answer any of my questions.

but, yeah I know what you’re talking about

The pill is taken in the very first period of pregnancy and gives an alternative to a surgical procedure. During the period when the fetus is not even probably formed. The fetus does not have a brain in the first Trimester. It is about 1/2 inch in length.

https://ldh.la.gov/page/986

There were 126,174 abortions in Japan

That's quite shocking, poor women. Really need to insist on condom usage.

"The national broadcaster NHK said the total cost of the abortion pill and a medical consultation would be around 100,000 yen".

Good luck with that, knowing I remember buying morning pill for 10 euros in my country...now it is free on request I believe.

Human life is apparently of no value. This is not a religious statement but a truly humanist viewpoint.

Jewish and Muslim religious texts say the fetus is not human until it has taken its first breath outside of the womb. Abortion is not a sin in these religions and some among them argue that restricting abortion is a state restriction of their religious freedom. Two such lawsuits are making their way through the US court system now.

"Hervé L'EisaApr. 29 09:57 pm JST

Human life is apparently of no value. This is not a religious statement but a truly humanist viewpoint.

It's a very sad reality that many people are more defensive of the lives of puppies and kittens(which I support) than the lives of the possible next Einsteins.

Yes, human life is valuable, especially of those with no ability to defend themselves."

Hey Hervé! I look forward to seeing you at the next ANTI-WAR DEMONSTRATION albeit MOST who are 'appalled' at contributing voluntarily to the 30-50% NATURAL and SPONTANEOUS termination of gestations manifested by the Human genepool are usually highly excited by and PRO-WAR. Also, the probability that one of those never-to-be foetuses would develop into an 'einstein' is VERY small compared to the genius we murder every generation on our battlefields while they are still naive teenagers... This 'disconnect' in the perceptions of so many between a woman's personal business concerning her own welfare and body and the BUSINESS of MASS MURDER of "people with no ability to defend themselves" is curious...no? I think the word 'hypocrisy' fits in here somewhere...

Not all religions oppose abortion, so why make this a religious matter? Personally, I was dragged up C of E, who are whishy-washy on the matter. Do what you will with religion.

Not all religions, although anti-abortion was traditionally associated with Catholicism, and more recently, evangelicals Christians, who are more likely to be associated with literalist interpretations of the Bible, and be associated with extreme conservative opinions.

But as I mentioned before, the only mention in the Bible of abortion is instructions on causing a miscarriage. There is no prohibition on abortion.

@Jonathan Prin: Sigh. Another guy who thinks this article is about the morning after pill.

@ Resident

You are right but then it is even worse than what I thougtht since there is no morning at normal price and with no question asked (need a doctor and days...).

So women are not supported much better with that at all. It should be a given from a long time ago.

Sorry for quick reading. I upvoted you by the way.

@Jomathan: That should be the next thing to be approved very shortly actually, OTC sale of the morning after pill by a Pharmacist. That's WAY over due as you well know.