Sekilara Card × THE NEW CHAPTER | A talk on "boundaries" we should consider precisely because it's Contraception Day

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This is "koko no me," a media outlet operated by Creative Studio koko.

We create spaces where people involved in "creating" and "delivering" can explore paths toward a better society and workplace in the realms of expression, planning, and communication, and empower one another.

Our theme is, "What we want to talk about right now." We aim to connect with new perspectives by gathering topics that we—those involved in creative production—are curious about, such as the creative process, ways of working, and our relationship with society, and by engaging with diverse knowledge and thoughts.

Ahead of World Contraception Day on September 26th, we hosted an event on September 22, 2025, titled "Why World Contraception Day is the Perfect Time to Talk About 'Boundaries'." The goal was to make contraception and sex education more accessible and to foster a space where these topics can be discussed with peace of mind. Here is our report on the event!

Facing Boundaries on September 26th, World Contraception Day

"World Contraception Day" is a day for awareness-raising activities held around the world to convey the importance of sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) and to support informed knowledge and choices.

Contraception is not just about controlling pregnancy; it is a foundation of sexual and reproductive health and a crucial theme connected to everyone's dignity and way of life.

However, in Japan, comprehensive sex education is not yet widespread, and due to the historical taboo surrounding "sex," there is a lack of accurate knowledge and safe spaces for discussion. As a result, many people currently face confusion and anxiety, wondering "How can I ask them to use contraception?" "How do I confirm consent?" or "Am I even allowed to enjoy sex?"

This is where the concept of "boundaries" becomes essential.

A boundary is the "comfortable line" you draw between yourself and others. For instance, it includes physical boundaries, such as "I'm okay with this, but no further," and emotional boundaries, like "I don't want to talk about that today." Understanding and respecting each other's boundaries serves as the foundation for confirming consent and having safe, open conversations about sex.

At the event held on September 22, 2025, co-hosted with the sexual wellness brand THE NEW CHAPTER, we invited Miki Kojima from Sekirara Card. Together with people working in sex-related products and education, as well as interested participants, we created a space for open, frank discussion and shared learning.

Because it is Contraception Day, we started by talking about "boundaries."

While co-creating a space where sex can be discussed safely, we explored the path toward making contraception more commonplace in Japan.

How Products Open Up Conversations About Sex and Boundaries

Even though we know it’s necessary, it can be difficult to initiate conversations about sex and boundaries in everyday life. We asked our guests how products can help break down those barriers and spark dialogue.

Ms. Kojima:

The Sekirara Card was created with the theme of "talking openly" (sekirara). However, our second rule is: "You can 'pass' on any question you don't want to answer." Not everyone has to share everything; if you don't want to talk about it, you don't have to. I believe having that premise helps respect the boundaries of others.

Also, facing the questions written on the cards can be a trigger for realizing your own boundaries—like, "Oh, I’m actually uncomfortable being asked this."

Personally, I’ve always liked talking, but I wasn't great at listening to others. Since I started using these cards, I’ve learned to listen without interrupting when someone else is speaking. I feel like I’ve naturally acquired that habit.

There were also moments using the Sekirara Card where I realized that speaking openly isn't necessarily comfortable for everyone. It made me realize that choosing not to speak is also a boundary used to protect important relationships.

Mr. Koizumi ():

Sex is still a topic that tends to be treated as a taboo.

While I want to deliver products related to sex, I’ve found that in practice, it’s often easier to get acceptance if it’s framed as "fem-care."

Sex is inseparable from our bodies and our daily lives. I believe we can stop treating it as something special and begin to see it as a topic that can be discussed as an extension of our daily routines.

There are many people who say, "Actually, I wanted to talk about this." A space to discuss sex is necessary not only for friends but also between partners. It involves physical intimacy, and to avoid hurting yourself or your partner, it’s something that should be discussed.

By having a card or product in between, people can naturally start talking about sexual orientation, what they dislike, and what feels good. Furthermore, it serves as a trigger to look at your own values, such as "How do I feel about this?" I want to cherish that time, and I hope others will too.

The Boundaries Between "Me" and "You"

Even if you know what a boundary is, actually maintaining it isn't easy.
Next, we asked our guests to talk about the difficulties of setting boundaries and the measures necessary to create safe spaces for dialogue, based on their own experiences.

Mr. Koizumi:
I once received a consultation from someone who had sex with a person they met on a dating app before they were officially dating. They were in tears telling me that they didn't actually want to, but they couldn't protect their own boundaries.

"Isn't it shameful to be this old and worried about something like this?"

"If I tell someone this, will they think, 'You're a grown adult'?"

They hesitated to share their pain because of these kinds of thoughts.

Boundaries aren't just an individual problem. Even if you have a boundary you want to cherish, if the other person doesn't understand that mindset, it's hard to be respected. I think we must not forget that. I also feel that the argument of "self-responsibility" extends even to sex, as seen in phrases like "you're an adult" or "at your age."

I want to convey that SRHR and boundaries have nothing to do with age or gender.

Ms. Kojima:
Boundaries can't be maintained by individual awareness alone.

It’s about putting your "NO" into words. And it’s about accepting the "NO" from the other person.

We hold regular events using the cards, and we are still exploring what an "environment where everyone can speak openly" really looks like.

Bringing Words and Tools to Protect Yourself into Daily Life

Finally, we asked our guests about their future actions.

How can we cultivate our own boundaries in daily life? And through brands and products, what kind of dialogue and choices can we open up? They shared their perspectives.

Mr. Koizumi:

I am in the middle of cultivating my own boundaries.

I make an effort to be aware of what feels "pleasant" or "unpleasant" to me. For example, if you can consciously make yourself feel comfortable, it becomes easier to notice those sensations when you feel uncomfortable due to external factors. I consciously create time to tune into my mind and body sensations, such as going for a head spa, taking a bath, or journaling.

In Japan, sex education still tends to emphasize risks. Even in games or sports, you can participate proactively precisely because you know the rules. Conversely, if you are forced to do something because "everyone else is doing it" without knowing the rules, there is no way you can enjoy it.

Knowing the rules, having your "NO" respected, and engaging of your own free will—I believe that only with these premises can sex be truly owned by the individual. I want to spread a way of experiencing sex where everyone, regardless of their diverse identities, can participate with agency. To that end, I hope to see more media, companies, products, and spaces that support this.

I also want to spread the word "boundary" itself more widely.

Ms. Kojima:

I would be happy if people used the Sekirara Card as practice for saying "NO." As you face different questions, I think you will gradually start to see where your boundaries lie—like "I can talk up to this point" or "I don't want to talk about anything beyond this."

Saying "NO" is not a bad thing. The important thing is having the words and tools to protect yourself. Once your heart is hurt in a sexual context, it can take time to recover.

Using words, using tools, and having the choice to protect yourself. I hope that through the word "boundary," people will understand the importance of these things, even if just a little.

Putting My Sensations into Words: My Boundaries

From the middle of the event, participants split into groups for a workshop and discussion on facing their own boundaries.

The workshop used cards featuring various scenarios under three themes: [Workplace], [Interpersonal Relationships], and [Sex & Physical Contact]. Participants drew cards, thought about whether the situation was "pleasant" or "unpleasant" for them, and shared their reasons with the group.

In the following workshop, participants chose a few scenarios from the cards they had drawn and thought about how they could actually communicate a "NO." While experimenting with "what phrasing is smooth" or "what kind of words make it feel safe to say," they discussed the background behind the difficulty of saying no, and what mechanisms and support are needed to make it easier.

Knowing Your Own Boundaries is the First Step to Contraception

Boundaries are not for pushing people away.

Noticing what you feel as pleasant or unpleasant and putting those feelings into words. Understanding that others have boundaries different from your own. We believe that this accumulation of effort becomes a foundation for interacting with others safely.

Saying "NO" is also a form of communication that protects the comfort of both yourself and the other person. On the other hand, it takes practice to say "NO" and to accept a "NO." That is why this workshop became a time for us to consider how to cultivate boundaries in our relationships with others while returning to our own sensations.

Thinking about contraception is not just about knowing methods or information. It’s about how you discuss and make choices with others while valuing your own body and intentions. The premise for that is, I believe, respecting the boundary between yourself and the other person.

We hope that this event serves as a catalyst for you to respect yourself and others, and to build safe, comfortable relationships when thinking about sex and contraception.⁡

At koko no me, we will continue to face the themes you all at Creative Studio koko are curious about, want to think about, and want to discuss, creating spaces where we can walk together through dialogue and shared learning.

⚫︎ Click here for event-related content

On the kokonome Instagram, we have published interview content with Ms. Nojo and other participants following the event👀

If you are interested, check it out here!

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"koko no me" is a media outlet operated by Creative Studio koko. We value creating a space where every individual involved in "creating" and "delivering" can deepen their thinking and discuss with peace of mind. By exchanging different ideas, perspectives, and emotions, we explore the path toward the future we want to create, starting from "here and now."

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Text : Akane Takayama
Edit：Ai Tomita