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April 26, 2026
 

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PREGNANCY

Experts are warning that some common claims about birth control pills' side effects represent misinformation ¡ª and that methods based on tracking fertility require strict adherence to be effective.
WORLD / Science & Health / FOCUS
Apr 25, 2026
'Natural' birth control risks unwanted pregnancy, experts warn
Helping drive this trend are influencers, who often promote natural birth control as a way for women to "liberate" themselves from the hormonal effects of the pill.
Many mothers have difficulty preparing child care products for their babies as they cannot work as much as they want due to pregnancy or childbirth.
JAPAN / Society
Apr 24, 2026
Half of disadvantaged mothers in Japan lack child care products, survey finds
When asked about concerns, 88% of respondents said they could not work as much as they wanted to due to pregnancy or childbirth.
Kie Kanda (center), a Japan International Cooperation Agency official, shows a maternal and child health handbook in the Mustang district in Nepal last October.¡¡
JAPAN
Apr 22, 2026
Japan-backed group to distribute maternal handbooks in Nepal
The Japan International Cooperation Agency hopes to encourage continuous care and reduce the death rates of mothers and children in Nepal.
Masako Sugami holds a coffin made for stillborn babies, in Yokkaichi, Mie Prefecture.
JAPAN / Society / Regional voices: Chubu
Apr 20, 2026
Mie nurse aims to provide coffins to grieving mothers of stillborn babies
"Even if their lives were short, their existence has value," the 66-year-old nurse said of the children, who normally are given to parents in paper boxes.
From Wednesday, vaccines to prevent respiratory syncytial virus will be administered to women in their 28th to 36th weeks of pregnancy in Japan to protect their unborn children from the virus.
JAPAN / Science & Health
Mar 30, 2026
Japan to begin RSV vaccinations during pregnancy to protect infants
The vaccine will be administered to women in their 28th to 36th weeks of pregnancy to immunize their babies, with costs primarily covered by public funds.
When reducing?labor pain with epidural anesthetic and other drugs, the method of continuously administering drugs was commonly adopted in the past.
JAPAN / Science & Health
Mar 26, 2026
Babies¡¯ health not affected by epidurals, study says
The results offer the choice of "painless delivery with peace of mind," the doctor leading the study said.
Japan is moving to make child deliveries free of charge in an effort to tackle the declining birth rate.
JAPAN / Society
Mar 13, 2026
Japan moves to cover full cost of child delivery with public health insurance
The measure, aimed at tackling the nation¡¯s declining birth rate, was approved in a Cabinet meeting on Friday, with implementation eyed by fiscal 2028.
Lesoeru 72, which is priced at ?6,930 per tablet, must be taken within 72 hours of intercourse.
JAPAN / Science & Health
Mar 10, 2026
Second morning-after pill now available over the counter in Japan
Lesoeru 72, which went on sale on Monday, joins NorLevo as the country¡¯s only two emergency contraceptive medications that do not need a doctor¡¯s prescription.
More than 60% of single men and women don't want to have children amid concerns over the economic burden of child-rearing, a survey showed.
JAPAN / Society
Mar 6, 2026
Over 60% of 91²Ö¿â unmarried young people do not want children, survey says
Rohto Pharmaceutical polled online 400 unmarried men and women between ages 18 and 29 as part of its annual survey on pregnancy and family planning.
St. Luke's International Hospital in Tokyo's Chuo Ward
JAPAN / Science & Health
Feb 18, 2026
Two women in Japan give birth after frozen ovarian transplants
It is rare that post-transplant pregnancies and childbirths by those who entered menopause due to cancer treatment have been closely monitored.
China efforts to encourage women to have more babies will have short-lived effects, while coercive measures ¡ª such as bans on contraception and abortion ¡ª would trigger a public backlash.
COMMENTARY / World
Feb 16, 2026
China¡¯s population rebound faces structural limits
China is widely expected to adopt a range of pronatalist policies in a bid to raise birth rates.
Takeshi Hasuda, head of Jikei Hospital in the city of Kumamoto, speaks during a news conference in Kobe on Jan. 29.
JAPAN / Society
Feb 13, 2026
Experts raise alarm over women giving birth alone
Access to anonymous childbirth services ¡ª currently available in only two medical institutions nationwide ¡ª is essential for protecting both mothers and newborns, they say.
An oral drug for chronic kidney disease and heart failure has also been found effective in treating premature ovarian insufficiency, according to a study by a team including researchers from Juntendo University in Japan and the University of Hong Kong.
JAPAN / Science & Health
Feb 10, 2026
Kidney drug found to be effective for infertility treatment
The team expects the discovery to lead to a new infertility therapy.
Hikaru Fujita, a candidate for parliament, in Azumino City, Nagano Prefecture. Fujita is a standout in a country where expectant mothers rarely enter national politics.
JAPAN / Politics
Feb 7, 2026
She¡¯s upending Japanese politics with two words: ¡®I¡¯m pregnant¡¯
Hikaru Fujita is a standout in a country where expectant mothers rarely enter national politics.
From Monday, NorLevo, an emergency contraceptive pill marketed by Daiichi Sankyo Healthcare, can be purchased over the counter at approximately 5,400 pharmacies and drugstores nationwide.
JAPAN / Science & Health
Feb 2, 2026
Morning-after pill becomes available over the counter, in a first for Japan
Under the new rules, only the person who will take the medication may buy it, and it must be taken in the presence of a pharmacist after receiving an explanation.
Shogi player Kana Fukuma speaks at a news conference about issues with Japan Shogi Association rules governing pregnant women, in Osaka on Dec. 10.
MORE SPORTS
Dec 19, 2025
In Japan, a shogi player opens a debate on motherhood and the 'game of generals'
Kana Fukuma says new rules governing female shogi players would have forced her to choose between her career and having a second child.
Over-the-counter sales of emergency contraceptive pill Norlevo will begin in February.
JAPAN / Science & Health
Dec 18, 2025
Japan to start OTC sales of emergency contraception in February
Daiichi Sankyo¡¯s drug, Norlevo, will mark the first time such a pill will be available without a prescription in Japan.
With concerns rising over babies whose genetic makeup has been altered to accommodate the parents' preferences, the government aims to submit related legislation during next year's ordinary parliamentary session at the earliest.
JAPAN
Dec 4, 2025
Japan eyes ban on gene-edited babies
The government aims to submit related legislation during next year's ordinary parliamentary session at the earliest.
To address the economic burden on expectant and nursing mothers, the health ministry plans to set a nationwide uniform amount for childbirth expenses, then fully cover it with health insurance.
JAPAN / Society
Dec 4, 2025
Japan to give full insurance coverage for childbirth costs
Childbirth costs have continued to rise due to factors such as inflation, with the nationwide average in fiscal 2024 hitting ?519,805.
Child care space at the Yuarito Day private postnatal care facility, on Oct. 20 in Tokyo's Chuo Ward
JAPAN
Nov 18, 2025
Postnatal care shortages emerge in Japan as demand grows
Provided by midwives and trained caregivers, such services offer hands-on child care assistance or short-term newborn care so families can rest and recover.
The language around Japan¡¯s new bike rules leaves no room for ¡®maybe¡¯
Under the new blue ticket system, cyclists will have one week in which to pay fines for minor traffic violations.
Prudential Life Insurance suspends sales for additional 180 days
Prudential Life CEO Hiromitsu Tokumaru (center) and other executives from the firm during a news conference in Tokyo on Wednesday
Don Quijote owner opens discount grocer as Japan inflation bites
Pan Pacific International Holdings, the owner of discount chain Don Quijote, opened its first Robin Hood store, a new food-focused chain, in Aichi Prefecture on Friday.
Japanese scientist accused of putting chemicals in co-worker¡¯s water in U.S.
The University of Wisconsin-Madison
Yakuza membership fell to record low in 2025
The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department has set up a special task force to intensify its crackdown on the Kohei-ikka, a Sumiyoshi-kai-affiliated designated crime group suspected of deepening its involvement with <i>tokury¨±</i> networks, including special fraud linked to illegal job schemes.
Inkonbini: Slice-of-life, cozy gaming from Japan¡¯s convenience stores
Alongside the simplified management of a convenience store, Inkonbini asks players to help a small cast of regular shoppers with not only their shopping but problems in their personal lives.
Professional sumo awaits three potential new stars
Bill Christopher Li, now known as Honoikazuchi, at the All-Japan championships at the Kokugikan on Nov. 30
How to prepare when Japan is under an earthquake advisory
Sendai Station is crowded with people Monday after the Tohoku shinkansen line suspended operation following a powerful earthquake off the Sanriku coast.
Now on the multilingual margins, can Japanese bookstores be more than just a vibe?
Jimbocho, Tokyo¡¯s book town, has gained popularity online and some travel companies are already selling book-centric tours for foreign visitors.
Stars aligning for Japan as World Cup approaches
Japan defender Shogo Taniguchi (left) heads the ball from a corner kick during Japan&#039;s match against Scotland in Glasgow on March 28.

Podcast

One of the many entrances to the Kabukicho neighborhood in Tokyo¡¯s Shinjuku Ward.
Kabukicho: Tokyo¡¯s ¡®stadium of desire¡¯

Longform

Projects like the BuddhaBot aim to re-create dialogue once lost to time, raising questions about whether AI can extend the teachings of Buddha or merely simulate them.
Can AI replace a priest? Japan¡¯s temples and shrines are testing the limits.
By Alex K.T. Martin

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