Fighting for the pill in Japan
Why did it take so long for the oral contraceptive pill to be legalised in Japan?
Witness History · BBC World Service
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Show Notes
After decades of campaigning in Japan, the pill was finally legalised in 1999. In contrast, the male impotency drug Viagra was approved for use in just six months, and legalised before the contraceptive pill for women. Politician Yoriko Madoka pushed hard for the right to take the pill and told Rebecca Kesby that sexism and male dominance in Parliament is why it took so long.
(Photo: A collection of contraceptive pills. Getty Images)