On 28th March, the 11th Matsumoto Award ceremony was held in Tokyo, in recognition of Seiichi Matsumoto, President, Japan Family Planning Association (JFPA), and pioneer of obstetrics and gynecology in Japan.

To date, 21 medical professionals have been awarded for their contributions to advancing and improving the fields of reproductive health, family planning, contraception and medical technology.

This year, Dr Reiko Ohkawa, Chief, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, National Hospital Organization, Chiba Medical Center, was recognized.

Dr. Ohkawa is only the fifth woman to receive the Matsumoto Award.

Dr. Ohkawa receives the award from Dr. Matsumoto himself

Graduating in 1972 from Chiba University, and from Yale University in 1981, Dr. Ohkawa has performed ob/gyn work daily and conducted research, especially in prostaglandin-induced contractions, the psychology of ob/gyn patients, and vaginismus.

Dr. Ohkawa is an Advisory Board Member of the World Association for Sexual Health (WAS), and has held many domestic posts regarding adolescent sexual and reproductive health (ASRH).

Dr. Ohkawa gives an acceptance speech
in which she said she would continue
to dedicate her life to working
toward a good environment
for SRH and equity and equality for women

The Matsumoto Award selection committee comprised members of JFPA, JOICFP, the Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the Japan Association of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and the Japanese Society of Fertility and Sterility.