TEEN PREGNANCY INQUIRIES SURGE IN TOKYO

The number of pregnancy inquiries from those aged 10-19 received by a consultation center in Tokyo between March and May, when schools across Japan were closed to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, was 1.8 times higher than during the same period last year, the center disclosed to the Mainichi Shimbun on July 7, 2020.

Among those who contacted the "Ninshin SOS Tokyo" pregnancy consultation center, there was a marked decline in the proportion of young people thought to have used correct contraceptive methods. It is believed that this was partly due to students missing out on sex education classes, which are usually held toward the end of Japan's academic year. Efforts are now underway to increase young people's knowledge about sex through videos online.

"Ninshin SOS Tokyo" is operated by the incorporated nonprofit organization Piccolare, based in Tokyo's Toshima Ward, with professionals ranging from midwives to social welfare workers responding to phone calls and emails.

Between March and May this year, 213 of those making inquiries were aged between 10 and 19 --an increase of 1.8 times compared with the same period in 2019. Most of the inquiries were from those worrying that they might have become pregnant. However, of those who'd had sex, the number of people using the correct contraceptive method -- such as putting on a condom before intercourse -- dropped from 51% last year to 32% this year. Thirty-six people who contacted the center said they had positive results when taking pregnancy tests and using other means to check pregnancy. The proportion of those who said they had not talked to anyone else about their situation rose by 14 percentage points to 68%. It is possible that the closure of schools made it harder for some youths to talk with their friends and others who are close to them.