In November 2025, students at a public middle school in Tokyo listened as Dr. Senjiro Chihara, a 60-year-classic obstetrician, delivered a lesson extending beyond the typical scope of sex education. Chihara’s presentation covered reproduction, sexual intercourse, human rights, sexual consent, and gender equality, according to reports.
The inclusion of an external lecturer like Chihara signals a growing, though uneven, effort to broaden sex education in Japanese schools. Traditional approaches have often been criticized for being insufficient in addressing crucial topics like consent and healthy relationships. A 2024 event, “ACTION for CSE: Thinking about the Future of Sex Education – What is Happening with School Education Now?”, brought together educators, parents, and students to discuss the current state of sex education in Japan.
Participants at the 2024 event reviewed survey data indicating a significant gap in young people’s access to comprehensive sexual health information. The “Sex and Love” consciousness survey, conducted by Joicfp I LADY., found that approximately 30% of young people lack a trusted source to discuss sexual health concerns. The internet and social media are the primary sources of information for 51.0% of young people, while school lessons and textbooks rank fourth at 24.4%.
The discussion at the Tokyo school and the broader national conversation reflect a growing awareness of Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE), as defined by UNESCO. CSE is described as “a curriculum-based process of teaching and learning about the cognitive, emotional, physical and social aspects of sexuality.” It emphasizes both formal and informal learning environments and utilizes a spiral curriculum approach, revisiting topics with increasing complexity over time.
The move towards CSE in Japan comes as the country grapples with societal shifts and evolving understandings of gender and relationships. While the details of Dr. Chihara’s lessons remain largely unreported, the event underscores a desire among some educators and advocates to provide students with more complete and nuanced information about sexual health and well-being. The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology has not yet issued a statement regarding the implementation of more comprehensive sex education programs nationwide.
