Japan approves trial sales of over-the-counter emergency contraceptives

The move is a major policy shift in country’s male-dominated parliament and brings Japan into line with more than 90 other countries

Japan is to permit the sale of emergency contraceptives without prescription on a trial basis, weeks after it approved the abortion pill.

The move, reported by media on Tuesday, will bring Japan into line with dozens of other countries where the morning-after pill is already available over the counter.