I'm Papuwa.

I’m Maezawa from the CEO’s Office, and I’ll answer this one too. Thanks for your question. > In the end, do you think everyone uses side effects as an excuse because they can’t be bothered to buy or research them? What do you think? I think it may be part of the Japanese national character. Apparently, there are quite a few medicines approved overseas that can’t be used in Japan. Maybe it’s because people are cautious—or don’t want to take responsibility themselves. There’s also a cultural fear of anything that everyone else isn’t using. Cold medicine has side effects too, but once something becomes reasonably widespread, people stop thinking about the risks. On the other hand, they tend to overreact to things that aren’t widely used. Maybe that’s just how Japanese people are. Incidentally, I’m a typical Japanese person myself, so I don’t get flu shots either. The vaccine might not work if it doesn’t suit you, and while it’s not technically a side effect, there’s still a risk of dying if it doesn’t agree with you. I’m always thinking things like: “Does everyone get vaccinated thinking they wouldn’t mind dying? They’re pretty brave. People die every year, don’t they?” That’s why I don’t get vaccinated. (Haha) I sometimes wonder if the discussion about side effects from the pill is the same kind of thing. What? They’re completely different?

I’m Rin, a female member. While I’m impressed by how passionately Papuwa-san explains these things every time, I’m also reminded of just how far behind sex education still is. Requiring the perpetrator’s signature for an abortion after sexual assault? If the victim is over 13, does that mean she consented? Should child sex offenders be allowed to regain their teaching licenses? Is disclosing a person’s history of sex offenses a violation of human rights? Would making emergency contraception available at pharmacies increase sex crimes? Would it lead to more casual sex? To begin with, are periods considered dirty or bad? Is sex education still taboo? Amid all these issues—and in Japan, where male dominance and female subordination remain deeply rooted—young resident doctors are developing an app to promote proper sex education as something everyone, not just women, should know about. There are still girls who think of the pill as something embarrassing, or merely a way to help men enjoy themselves… and men at an unbelievably low level who say things like, “Take the pill—I want to do it…” In the end, it all comes down to personal responsibility, I suppose. At the very least, I wish people would learn about condoms, the pill, and STDs before getting involved… By the way, when Sawa-san became a topic of discussion, there was briefly this bizarre trend of saying, “Female athletes should take the pill!” and “They should freeze their eggs!” But female athletes face disadvantages that are different from those faced by men, and the best approach depends on the individual. In any case, I think it will become increasingly important for people to learn for themselves and make that knowledge their own. I believe those who can do that are the ones who will survive.

I’m Tetsu, a male member. I feel that sex education in Japan has become just as isolated and outdated as our digital and telecommunications industries compared with other countries. When I was educated about 30 years ago, all we learned was basically about condoms, with only a brief mention that something called the pill existed. At the time, morning-after pills weren’t available, and there were only limited types of birth control pills, so I suppose that was understandable. Sometimes women are totally put off when I bring up the pill. If someone says she’s struggling with irregular periods and I suggest controlling them with the pill—which is perfectly normal for athletes, for example—she’ll suspect that I’m just trying to have unprotected sex with her (lol). I guess both men and women simply lack knowledge about it. Used properly, medication can improve your quality of life, so I don’t think there’s anything to lose by learning about its benefits and drawbacks.

I’m Kazu, a male member. I think the person who asked this question can tell the difference. I imagine they asked because they were wondering whether men might not be able to. However, as I wrote in my answer to that question, I don’t think it’s realistic to expect the club to educate its members about that. As for men being unable to tell the difference, there are probably some who genuinely can’t, as well as those who can but let their desires get the better of them. I’m the type who looks into anything that interests me, so I know a little about it. But there are also plenty of people who don’t bother learning about things unless they directly affect them.