#Japan #Shibuya #Wellness Action #Menstrual Poverty

Addressing Menstrual Poverty in Shibuya: A Comprehensive Report

In recent years, the issue of menstrual poverty has gained increasing attention, and Shibuya is at the forefront of tackling this problem. The Shibuya Future Design Association, led by Chairman Hideki Koizumi, has launched the "Our Wellness Action" project, which seeks to create a society where people can live healthily and authentically since 2022. This initiative has now shared findings from an experimental project that installed free sanitary pad dispensers across 22 public facilities in Shibuya.

The project, executed in collaboration with Uni-Charm Corporation and the Shibuya City Government, took place from October 15 to December 26, 2025. Over a span of 73 days, an impressive total of 14,874 sanitary products were provided. The results reveal overwhelming support from the community, with a remarkable 93.7% of participants endorsing the initiative and 93.3% expressing a desire for it to continue.

Background and Purpose of the Experiment

Shibuya City and the Shibuya Future Design Association are committed to creating a safe and equitable environment for women. In March 2022, they inaugurated a project aimed at promoting women's health with menstruation as one of its key themes. The goal was to explore both economic hardship and a lack of information regarding menstruation and bodily health as significant challenges.

This experimental initiative is essential in establishing a 'safety net' within urban settings, ensuring that everyone in the community has fair access to vital support. Through surveys, they garnered insights into the needs and utilizations of sanitary products in public restrooms, highlighting the straightforward yet impactful solution of free sanitary pad dispensers.

Key Findings from the Experiment

The analysis of the data collected shows compelling needs and challenges surrounding menstrual health access:

• - Public Value Beyond Economic Support: Providing menstrual products is not just about economic assistance. It addresses immediate needs when out in public and creates psychological comfort for users.
• - Diverse Facility Needs: Demand varies widely by facility type, indicating the need for tailored operational strategies (refilling logistics, stock shortage solutions, and acquisition guidelines) suited to each facility's specific context.
• - High Community Endorsement: The initiative shows strong policy support, with 93.7% recommending it and 93.3% wanting it to continue. Additionally, 99.1% of users felt assured by the hygienic measures taken, like using sealed packaging.
• - Clarifying Concerns for Institutional Support: The experiment highlighted concerns such as potential misuse (like hoarding or reselling), optimal placement of dispensers, and guidance for users, setting the stage for widespread policy implementation.

Survey Results Provide Further Insights

Conducting surveys with 223 respondents revealed that 86.6% of participants aged 20-40 frequently require sanitary products, and 77.1% have had experiences where they urgently needed them but faced difficulties in obtaining them. Alarmingly, approximately 10% reported being unable to purchase sanitary products due to financial constraints.

There is a clear demand for policies that support the free provision of sanitary items, with respondents demonstrating exceptionally high institutional approval. The mere presence of dispensers instills a sense of safety within public spaces.

Through this experimental initiative, the essential value of such programs and the needs for future action and policy development have been outlined, paving the way for further considerations in the implementation process. The report concluded with practical recommendations for urban policy makers to ensure Shibuya remains a welcoming space for all.

Looking Ahead

The “Our Wellness Action” initiative continues to push forward, aspiring to cultivate a societal framework where individuals prioritize their health and wellbeing while fostering community connections. The Shibuya Future Design Association will keep championing these efforts, ensuring that Shibuya evolves into an increasingly inclusive and accessible environment for all its residents.

For further details, you can download the white paper on the experiment here.

About Our Wellness Action

The “Our Wellness Action” project spearheaded by the Shibuya Future Design Association was officially launched in March 2022 after several discussions during the 2021 “SOCIAL INNOVATION WEEK”. Its aim is to encourage society to engage meaningfully with health and their bodies, forming a community focused on self-care and inclusivity. They engage in information dissemination, community building, conducting research, and collaborative activities targeting these issues.