What Should I Do If I Don't Want to Give Birth?
In Japan, abortion is possible up to the 22nd week (21 weeks 6 days).
Conditions for Abortion
In Japan, the law stipulates the conditions for an abortion. The conditions for abortion are as follows.
In principle, the consent of a spouse or a partner is required to have an abortion. If you do not know who the partner is, if the partner cannot express his intention, or if the partner is deceased, you can have an abortion without the consent of the partner.
Abortion Surgery
If you are less than 12 weeks pregnant, there is an operation called "vacuum aspiration " or "curettage". If you have a checkup in advance, the procedure will take one night, two days. If bleeding continues, hospitalization may be prolonged.
If you are 12 to less than 22 weeks pregnant, you can use a uterine contraction agent to artificially cause labor leading to a miscarriage. This is a heavy burden on the body, so hospitalization is required for several days.
Anesthesia is used for the surgery. You will be asked to provide an "accompaniment" to ask for consent on what to do in case of emergency or an emergency contact who can be reached immediately by phone during surgery. A person who understands Japanese is recommended.
The Abortion Fee
Abortions are not covered by health insurance, so you will have to pay in full. The cost varies depending on the week of pregnancy, ranging from 100,000 to 300,000 yen. Abortions of four months (85 days) or more after pregnancy are treated as childbirth. If you have health insurance, you can receive a "lump-sum allowance for childbirth and childcare". How to receive this allowance differs depending on the medical institution, so check with the clinic staff.
Abortion Medicine
In Japan, as of April 2023, the oral abortion medicine Mefeego Pack has been approved. After taking the first medication (Mifepristone), the second medication (Misoprostol) is taken 36 to 48 hours later to terminate pregnancy. Side effects such as abdominal pain and bleeding may occur. Those who take the medicine must stay in hospital until the abortion is confirmed by doctors. The oral abortion medicine is for pregnancies up to 9 weeks. Beyond that, the medicine cannot be used.
Conditions for Abortion
In Japan, the law stipulates the conditions for an abortion. The conditions for abortion are as follows.
- When it is difficult to continue pregnancy or deliver due to maternal health or financial reasons.
- When sexual intercourse could not be resisted or rejected due to assault or intimidation.
In principle, the consent of a spouse or a partner is required to have an abortion. If you do not know who the partner is, if the partner cannot express his intention, or if the partner is deceased, you can have an abortion without the consent of the partner.
Abortion Surgery
If you are less than 12 weeks pregnant, there is an operation called "vacuum aspiration " or "curettage". If you have a checkup in advance, the procedure will take one night, two days. If bleeding continues, hospitalization may be prolonged.
If you are 12 to less than 22 weeks pregnant, you can use a uterine contraction agent to artificially cause labor leading to a miscarriage. This is a heavy burden on the body, so hospitalization is required for several days.
Anesthesia is used for the surgery. You will be asked to provide an "accompaniment" to ask for consent on what to do in case of emergency or an emergency contact who can be reached immediately by phone during surgery. A person who understands Japanese is recommended.
The Abortion Fee
Abortions are not covered by health insurance, so you will have to pay in full. The cost varies depending on the week of pregnancy, ranging from 100,000 to 300,000 yen. Abortions of four months (85 days) or more after pregnancy are treated as childbirth. If you have health insurance, you can receive a "lump-sum allowance for childbirth and childcare". How to receive this allowance differs depending on the medical institution, so check with the clinic staff.
Abortion Medicine
In Japan, as of April 2023, the oral abortion medicine Mefeego Pack has been approved. After taking the first medication (Mifepristone), the second medication (Misoprostol) is taken 36 to 48 hours later to terminate pregnancy. Side effects such as abdominal pain and bleeding may occur. Those who take the medicine must stay in hospital until the abortion is confirmed by doctors. The oral abortion medicine is for pregnancies up to 9 weeks. Beyond that, the medicine cannot be used.
Never Take an Abortion Medicine Without Medical Supervision
It is dangerous to consume the medicine to have an abortion without the supervision of a doctor. Abnormal bleeding and an incomplete abortion may occur.
If you have an abortion using medicine from your country of origin, you may be punished for criminal abortion (Article 212 of the Penal Code, punishable by imprisonment for not more than one year).
In any case, if you find out that you are pregnant, visit your doctor first.
However, some clinics may refuse to see you if you do not have a Japanese interpreter. If you are refused a medical examination or abortion at the clinic, please consult with us.
If you have an abortion using medicine from your country of origin, you may be punished for criminal abortion (Article 212 of the Penal Code, punishable by imprisonment for not more than one year).
In any case, if you find out that you are pregnant, visit your doctor first.
However, some clinics may refuse to see you if you do not have a Japanese interpreter. If you are refused a medical examination or abortion at the clinic, please consult with us.