TOKYO -- A booklet on preparing for and dealing with menstruation is being distributed free at major bookstores across Japan to help female university applicants maximize their performance in the Common Test for University Admissions in January.

In August, Unicharm Corp., which markets the Sofy sanitary product brand, asked 100 female students in their third year of high school what they were worried about regarding college entrance exams and studying.

Some 71% of the respondents answered that they "sometimes have headaches or stomachaches due to menstruation, which makes it difficult to concentrate on studying and makes me anxious." However, when 100 of their mothers were asked if they notice when their daughters are having difficulty or trouble with their periods or PMS (premenstrual syndrome), only 53% said they do.

Also, 300 female students in their second year of high school through first year of university and their mothers were respectively asked if they talk to each other about menstruation. Forty-three percent of the students and 60% of the mothers answered "Yes, I think so," suggesting that some mothers are not aware of their daughter's concerns.

One female employee of Unicharm reportedly had to "rush to the convenience store to buy sanitary products" when she got her period on the day of the exam.

Therefore, in an effort to support female candidates and their families, the company requested cooperation from Sekaishisosha-Kyogakusha Co., publisher of the "akahon" book series of past entrance examinations for each university. A booklet entitled "measures to deal with menstruation for entrance exam-takers" was created with a similar cover design to the akahon, and has been distributed free of charge at bookstores throughout Japan since November.

The booklet introduces five "menstrual care" tips. It also offers a "last-minute checklist for exams." For the latter, it mentions using an app to predict their period, recommends bringing sanitary products and painkillers on the day of the exam even if it is not their scheduled period day, and recommends checking several restroom locations in case the venue's restrooms are overcrowded.

A Unicharm representative said that they hope that female candidates will learn the right care about menstruation and get through this important study milestone in their lives.

The booklet will be available at bookstores until supplies run out, but measures to deal with menstruation can also be found on Sofy's website (in Japanese).

(Japanese original by Eri Misono, Digital News Group)