A Re-examination of Birth Control in the First Half of Twentieth Century Japan: Yoshioka Yayoi’s Anti-birth Control Position

Abstract

ABSTRACT The birth control movement in Japan first arose in the early 1920s. The Japanese government disapproved of birth control because it was enthusiastic about population growth to strengthen national power. Simultaneously, the movement was accompanied by a clash of ideologies among its supporters and critics in society. Existing research is especially interested in state policies and management, as well as the viewpoints and activities of birth control activists. This paper delves into a less-discussed topic: the perspectives of birth control opponents, focusing on Yoshioka Yayoi (1871–1959), a gynaecologist, educator, and women’s rights activist. It argues that during the early twentieth century, state policies did not always play a decisive role in shaping people’s anti-birth control attitudes. Yoshioka’s opposing views in interwar Japan incorporated her concerns for women’s morals and health, which were heavily influenced by social values and contraceptive technology at the time. As World War II began, her anti-birth control views had a strong political implication – promoting childbirth as a war effort. Despite Yoshioka’s alignment with the state, the distinctions that existed between her views and national ideologies should not be overlooked. Yoshioka’s ideas are conservative and show limitations. However, through her case, this article hopes to offer insight into the different meanings of birth control for people living in the early twentieth century, not only in Japan but also in a global context. Many people were reluctant to embrace this new family planning method due to moral reasons and uncertainty. Keeping birth control out of people’s daily lives, especially for conservatives like Yoshioka, was an optimal way to benefit individuals.