"Period poverty” — the state in which women can't afford sanitary pads and tampons — has become an issue in Japan and around the world. But a survey by the Chugoku Shimbun in May showed that municipalities in the Chugoku region are not keen on offering support, with only three out of 54 cities distributing such products free of charge.
The survey, conducted by telephone between May 10 and 13, found 51 cities in the region, or 94.4%, have no such policies in place, with all cities in Yamaguchi and Shimane prefectures saying they aren’t planning on implementing one.
There are citizens groups that are taking it upon themselves to distribute sanitary products for free, but the sensitive nature of the issue signals the need for municipalities to be more proactive.