Spread of women s health technology faces legal barrier in Japan
July 4, 2021 (Mainichi Japan)
This image provided by femtech company Fermata shows menstrual cups and other women s health items. TOKYO People in Japan are becoming increasingly aware of femtech, or technology to address women s physical and mental health issues. 2020 was called the first year of femtech in Japan after a host of domestic firms entered the field, but its growth is facing serious challenges. Laws and regulations related to sanitary products including the Standards for Marketing Approval of Sanitary Napkins, set by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, state that such items shall be white in color and shall be almost odorless. It shall not contain any foreign matter, and that sanitary napkins are to be generally disposable.