This Spring, Join A Fun Walk To Help Spread Breast Cancer Awareness

Support breast cancer awareness with every step you take at this annual event.

Breast cancer is the only universal cancer among women worldwide. Though the rates are not as high as in the U.S. and most European countries, according to statistics by Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, it took the lives of 14,013 women in Japan in 2016, and it is estimated that one in every 11 Japanese women will be diagnosed with breast cancer at least once in their lifetime.

Despite the significant improvement in technology, breast cancer patients and fatalities are still steadily increasing in Japan, with low screening rates being a major contributing factor. According to the latest statistics by the National Cancer Center Japan from 2016, screenings stood at only 44.9 percent, even though nowadays most companies and local municipalities offer annual breast cancer screenings. And while breast cancer is most common in women, it does affect men as well, whether directly or indirectly through an illness of a loved one. It also affects all of us as foreign women living in Japan. 

If detected at an early stage, however, breast cancer is curable and that is why spreading awareness about it is crucial to all of us.

[Breast cancer] took the lives of 14,013 women in Japan in 2016. 

To help raise people’s awareness and knowledge about breast cancer, the Japan Society of Breast Health launched its annual Pink Ribbon Walk in 2002. This year, the organization is holding the event for the 17th consecutive year, inviting the public for a fun walk and run spring event, during which people can learn more about breast cancer and help others get motivated to do early and preemptive screenings.

This year’s Pink Ribbon Walk will be held in Odaiba on Sunday, April 15. Participants can choose from a 2-, 6- or 10-km walk or a 6-km fun run along beautiful Odaiba, which at the time will be covered with some 170 thousand tulips. The main event venue will also be equipped with various booths, including the Pink Ribbon Donut Cafe, a photo #hashtag booth, and a mammography info booth.

Pink Ribbon 2018’s Odaiba walk and fun run course map

It’ll be a great Sunday out in the Tokyo Bay, so invite a couple of friends, come dressed in pink and help fight and learn about breast cancer.

The Deets

When: Sun, April 15, 2018,  9 a.m.- 2 p.m. The walk/run starts at 10:30 a.m.
Where: Odaiba Symbol Promenade Park, 1 & 2-chome, Aomi, Koto-ku, Tokyo
Cost: ¥2,000 (Includes Pink Ribbon Pin & Towel). Note that there will be additional ¥200 for online registration process fee.
How to attend: Register here until April 1. For more information, see the official Pink Ribbon 2018 website.