“NO! PFAS Women’s Network” was launched on April 1, 2026.

The organization was organized by eight women living in Hokkaido, Tokyo, Shizuoka, Osaka, Hyogo, Okayama, and Okinawa.

Even if PFAS contamination is discovered in the area where you live, it can be daunting to start researching the issue from scratch or join a citizens’ group to take action.

So the eight of them launched a network that allows even women who are busy with childcare and work to participate easily, at a frequency and in a way that suits them.

Connecting women who are struggling on their own

On April 3, members of the “NO! PFAS Women’s Network” held an online press conference to announce the group’s launch.

The members of Women’s Network are the eight women who launched the “Let’s Connect! National Network Speaking Out for PFAS Regulation” on March 8, International Women’s Day. They have been campaigning by launching an online petition calling for a revision of PFAS drinking water standards and the formulation of a roadmap.

The petition has reached 39,000 signatures in less than a month. Support is pouring in from people across the country who are struggling with PFAS contamination.

Recently, the National Network received numerous messages from women concerned about their children’s health. PFAS have been linked to various health effects in pregnant women, fetuses, and children, including preeclampsia and chromosomal abnormalities.

On the other hand, they noticed that many women are so busy with childcare, housework, and work that they struggle to find the time to learn about PFAS contamination or to participate in groups, and end up worrying about these issues on their own.

In response, the National Network has decided to launch the “NO! PFAS Women’s Network” to help women across the country who are concerned about PFAS contamination connect with one another, exchange information, discuss their concerns, and organize initiatives aimed at resolving the issue. Individuals can join at their own time and in whatever method works best for them.

Miho Yamauchi, one of the organizers and co-representative of the “Koganei Water Network,” spoke about the significance of the women’s network as follows.

“I really think women have an amazing intuition. The way they instinctively grasp an issue and take immediate action is directly linked to their instinct to nurture children. I believe that’s what drives their actions and gets things done.”

As Yamauchi noted, the nationwide network of women also heard concerns from people who said they were “uncomfortable submitting signatures online.” They responded immediately and made it possible to submit signatures on paper as well.

The signatures will be submitted to five agencies: the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare; the Ministry of the Environment; the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries; the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism; and the Agency for Children and Families.

They are aiming for 100,000 entries and plan to submit them between late June and early July of this year.

Online petition: Click here

Petition form: Download here

[Inquiries Regarding the Women’s Network and Petition]

NO! PFAS Women’s Network, Let’s Connect! National Network Speaking Out for PFAS Regulation

Representative of the Organizing Committee: Yuriko Nagaoka (Osaka)

Phone: 090-8376-1215

Email: osakapfas.nagaoka@gmail.com

(Originally published in Japanese on April 3, 2026. Translation by Mana Shibata.)

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