Japan has approved the first over-the-counter emergency contraceptive pill, available without a prescription, without age restrictions or parental consent.

ASKA Pharmaceutical has announced that it has obtained approval for the first emergency contraceptive pill in Japan, after eight years of negotiations. This will be available without age restrictions and without the need for parental consent, which represents a significant change in a conservative society. However, the pill will be labeled as a "medication that requires counseling," meaning that women must take it in the presence of a pharmacist.

This decision comes in response to complaints from activists who highlighted the difficulties faced by women, especially victims of rape or adolescents, in obtaining emergency contraception. The pill can prevent pregnancy if taken within 72 hours after sexual intercourse, but its effectiveness decreases over time. Its price will be between 7,000 and 9,000 yen (approximately 40.3-51.5 euros). Emergency contraception is already available without a prescription in over 90 countries, and the WHO recommends its inclusion in national family planning programs.