Japanese cardinal opposes OTC morning-after pill, citing sanctity of life. Move allows women in Japan to access emergency contraception without prescription.
Newsroom (23/10/2025, Gaudium Press) Japan has approved the over-the-counter (OTC) sale of the emergency contraceptive pill Norlevo, marking the first time women in the country can access the medication without a prescription. The decision, announced by Aska Pharmaceutical on Oct. 20, has sparked debate, with Tokyo’s Cardinal Isao Kikuchi voicing strong opposition rooted in Catholic teaching on the sanctity of human life.
The move represents a significant change in Japan, where access to contraception has historically been tightly restricted. While no official sale date has been set, Aska Pharmaceutical stated that women of any age may purchase the pill but must take it under a trained pharmacist’s supervision to ensure proper use and safety.
Cardinal Kikuchi, expressed deep reservations. “I cannot approve measures that may take human life without adequate moral education,” he said, acknowledging that many view the decision as a step toward safeguarding women’s health and dignity. However, he emphasized the Catholic perspective: “Life is a gift from God.” Kikuchi described the OTC approval as a “provisional emergency measure” that should not become a permanent solution.
The “morning-after” pill, designed to prevent pregnancy if taken within 72 hours of unprotected intercourse, has been a contentious issue in Japan. Discussions on OTC access began in 2017, with 320 public comments in favor and 28 against, according to Dr. Kunio Kitamura, president of the Japan Family Planning Association (JFPA). Supporters cited women’s autonomy and difficulties accessing clinics, while opponents raised concerns about inadequate pharmacist training and a perceived disregard for life.
Despite initial public support, the proposal stalled until 2022, when renewed advocacy and pilot programs in 2023 led to its approval by the Pharmaceutical Affairs Council on May 23. Dr. Kitamura, whose views do not reflect the JFPA’s official stance, called the decision a “critical step” but stressed the need for robust sex education and collaboration between pharmacies and clinics. “For women, unintended pregnancy can be life-altering,” he told UCA News. “Emergency contraceptives are an essential last resort, but their effectiveness depends on timely access.”
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Japan has long opposed emergency contraceptives, labeling them abortifacient in a 2010 statement. “Artificial abortion contradicts the moral duty to respect human life,” the bishops declared, noting that such pills may prevent implantation of a fertilized ovum.
Public sentiment is mixed. A 49-year-old mother from Saitama Prefecture told UCA News that while access is vital, “education about responsible sexual behavior is crucial” for her teenage daughters. A 35-year-old Tokyo resident welcomed the decision, saying, “It’s better that women have options. It’s up to them how it affects them morally.”
Globally, the World Health Organization lists emergency contraceptives as essential medicines, available without prescription in about 90 countries. In Japan, some medical professionals advocate free access for teenagers, especially after the age of sexual consent was raised from 13 to 16 in 2023. Dr. Kitamura argued that age restrictions would be “unacceptable” given the prevalence of sexual abuse.
As Japan navigates this new policy, the tension between individual autonomy and the Catholic commitment to the sanctity of life remains at the fore, with Cardinal Kikuchi urging a moral framework to guide such decisions.
- Raju Hasmukh with files form UCA News
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