I don’t want children right now. What should I do?

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I don’t want children right now. What should I do?

• If you don’t want to have children right now, you can avoid getting pregnant by using contraception.
•In Japan, there are not many contraceptive methods that can be achieved by the woman alone.The cooperation of the male partner is very important.Men should take responsibility and think about it together with their partners.
• There is no such thing as “safe days” (days when a woman will not get pregnant even if they do not use contraception). All women who menstruate have the potential to get pregnant.

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What kinds of contraception can be used in Japan?	Where can I get it?	How much does it cost?
Condoms for men	100-yen shops, convenience stores, and drugstores. Can be bought without having to show ID, e.g. resident card.	About ¥50-100 each. Can also be bought online for ¥1,500 for a box of 100 (¥10-19 each).
Oral contraceptives (OC)	OB-GYN department.Be examined by a doctor and obtain a prescription.	The first time will cost about ¥10,000 for the doctor’s examination, blood tests, and prescription, etc.For the second and subsequent times, it will cost about ¥2,000-3,000 for one month’s supply. Not covered by health insurance.
Intra-uterine system (IUS/IUD)	OB-GYN department.The doctor will examine you and insert it on the spot. An examination is needed prior to insertion. Regular examinations will also be conducted after insertion.	Approx. ¥40,000. Once inserted, it will continue to be effective for 3-5 years. Not covered by health insurance. However, people with painful or heavy periods can have an IUS/IUD inserted as treatment to alleviate them. Such cases are covered by health insurance, reducing the cost to around ¥12,000.
Emergency contraceptive (morning-after pill)	Requires an examination at the OB-GYN department and a prescription.	¥10,000 or more Not covered by health insurance.

Reference: Obstetrics and Gynecology Practice Guidelines - Obstetrics and Gynecology Outpatient Edition 2020, Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology

Contraceptives that are unavailable in Japan

Find out more!

Things to be Careful About Pregnancy in Japan (Video) Vietnamese (with Japanese subtitles)

“Ninshin in Japan” website, Kumustaka - Association for Living Together with Migrants

About Contraception (EN)

Find out more! Column: Bringing Medicines into Japan

• Bringing more than one month’s supply of medicines into Japan or having medicines sent from overseas requires Import Confirmation Certificate procedures.It is illegal to sell medicines you have brought in on Facebook or to give them to friends of acquaintances. Absolutely do not do this.
• Import Confirmation Certificate procedures: The Customs procedures takes about two weeks. Information for those who are bringing medicines for personal use into Japan (Japanese)