In Japan, too, women can now use the abortion pill: the Ministry of Health in Tokyo has approved the drug mifepristone for medical abortions. According to a circular to the country’s doctors, it can be used to terminate pregnancies up to the ninth week.
The public television station NHK reported today that the cost of an abortion with the pill is the equivalent of around 660 euros. They would not be covered by health insurance.
Abortions are generally legal in Japan up to the 22nd week, but the consent of the partner is usually required. Until now, surgery has been the only option for abortion.
Now, up to the ninth week, a medical abortion should also be possible, in which the drug misoprostol is taken together with mifepristone – known in Austria under the trade name Mifegyne.
