Japanese mother develops period-proof panties to help schoolgirls’ transition to puberty

Name: Fighting ‘period poverty’ and other forms of gender discrimination in developing countries
Uploaded: 2021-06-26T06:30:06.000Z
Duration: 5 min 45 s
Description: Fighting ‘period poverty’ and other forms of gender discrimination in developing countries

Mayumi Miyaguchi’s ‘absorbent shorts’ have gained popularity as they have proved effective while being cheaper than those used by adults

‘It’s weird that girls have to sneak around when they have their periods,’ the Osaka-based entrepreneur says

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A Japanese mother has produced a line of ‘absorbent shorts’ for girls who may feel embarrassed about carrying sanitary pads to school. File photo: AFP

Kyodo

Published: 2:30pm, 26 Jun 2021Updated: 2:24pm, 5 Jul 2021

Period-proof underwear designed to protect women from leaks and keep them feeling dry has become popular in Japan in recent years, and one mother with a young daughter has developed a similar product for girls who are starting to menstruate.

Mayumi Miyaguchi, owner of an apparel company in the city of Osaka, has produced a line of “absorbent shorts” for elementary and junior high school girls who may feel embarrassed about carrying sanitary towels to school.

The idea came to her two years ago when her daughter was about to have her first period. The period-proof panties developed by Miyaguchi have been gaining popularity as they have proved effective while being cheaper than those used by adults.

It’s weird that girls have to sneak around when they have their periods

Mayumi Miyaguchi, Japanese mum

Although Miyaguchi initially told her daughter to “tuck her napkins away so that they aren’t noticeable” when going to school, she felt it was strange for her daughter to feel the need to hide them since there is nothing shameful about using them.

“It’s weird that girls have to sneak around when they have their periods,” Miyaguchi said. “My daughter’s generation should have more freedom.”

Period-proof panties originated in Europe and the US, and Japanese manufacturers have only entered the market in the past several years. They are one of the representative products of “femtech,” which uses special fibres and aims to embrace technology to solve problems specific to women.

Recent newcomers to period-proof underwear include G.U. Co., a unit of Fast Retailing Co., the owner of casual fashion brand Uniqlo.

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Fighting ‘period poverty’ and other forms of gender discrimination in developing countries