Main content
Fighting for the pill in Japan
The pill was legalised in Japan 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.
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)
Last on
Fri 30 Jul 202102:50GMT
BBC World Service
More episodes
Broadcasts
- Thu 29 Jul 202107:50GMTBBC World Service
- Thu 29 Jul 202111:50GMTBBC World Service Australasia, Online, Americas and the Caribbean & News Internet only
- Thu 29 Jul 202117:50GMTBBC World Service except East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa
- Fri 30 Jul 202102:50GMTBBC World Service
Podcast
![]()
Witness History
The story of our times, told by the people who were there

