PRESS CONFERENCE
Kazane Kajiya, pro-choice and contraception access activist 
Member of International Safe Abortion Day Japan Project

11:00-12:00 Monday, September 27, 2021
The speech and Q & A will be in English

"Let Women Decide": Pro-Choice Activist Calls on Japan to Allow Women to Make Independent Decisions on Abortions

The recent ban by the U.S. state of Texas on abortion beyond six weeks has prompted more debate and awareness globally of access to reproductive health services and the question of who has the right to make decisions on abortions. In Japan, women seeking abortions must get permission from the man involved, according to a law that dates back to 1948. The country makes some exceptions for cases such as rape or when a woman's health is in danger, but Japanese women who want an abortion face harassment, high costs, and limited options. Abortion pills are also not legally available in the country. Some women have sought illegal ways to end pregnancies with tragic results. 

Activists like Kazane Kajiya have been an advocate of pro-choice movement and more access to contraception for Japanese women. To mark International Safe Abortion Day – which is held every year on September 28 around the world – Kajiya wants to call for abolishing the requirement of male consent for abortions and ask the Japanese government to recognize women as independent human beings capable of making decisions about their bodies.  

How to attend: Please register at front@fccj.or.jp with your name, the name of your media outlet, and FCCJ membership number. Due to space restrictions attendance will be limited to 20 people. Doors open 30 minutes before the event. Please sign in, giving your name and contact details at the reception, and have your temperature taken before proceeding. 

How to watch online: https://www.youtube.com/c/FCCJchannel/live 　
Livestreaming of the press events will be available and video of this event will be uploaded to our FCCJ YouTube channel. 

How to ask questions: https://forms.gle/p1JLCkT8F5WYPzXGA
Members watching the event online can submit questions for the speakers in advance using this submission form (English only).

TV crew: Please make a reservation at front@fccj.or.jp. Doors open for TV crews only at 45 minutes before the event. There will be five positions available for livestreaming. 

Professional Activities Committee