by Courtney Tuchman
The titular magical-girl mascot has recently become the face of fighting against STDs and STIs. On November 21, Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare started a campaign to promote awareness of sexual diseases.
Japan has had its issues with STDs in recent history. Since the 1990s, cases of diseases have increased by the thousands, syphilis being one of the most prominent offenders. So who better to battle off this pandemic then one of Japan's most iconic defenders herself?
Sailor Moon's name and likeness has been transformed into 5,000 posters and 156,000 leaflets. Over 140 Japan-based groups will distribute these items, including the Japan Medical Association, Japanese Society for Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Japan Foundation for AIDS Prevention and the Japanese Foundation for Sexual Health Medicine. And of course, there are 60,000 Sailor Moon themed condoms being shipped, complete with heart-shaped package and a drawing of the Pretty Guardian. The campaign's target audience is women from their teens to 30s, but the message rings clear enough for those not in the demographic.
Any fan of Sailor Moon will remember her famous catchphrase, which she would always spout right before battling the enemy, "In the name of the Moon, I will punish you!" But for the purposes of this campaign, the phrase has been shifted to, "If you don't get tested, I will punish you!" Let's hope the heroine will help prevent the spread of STDs and STIs.
Source: Kotaku, Anime News Network Image: Kotaku, Anime News Network
