Japan is seeing a rise in programs for donating hair to make medical wigs for children suffering from cancer and other diseases, but a lack of knowledge among donors and a shortage of manufacturers is holding back progress.
Hair donation, which began in the United States in the 1990s, is gathering steam in Japan against the backdrop of increased awareness of volunteer activities. Social media sites about how best to grow out one's hair are also helping boost momentum.
But as Japan has only a small number of barbers and aestheticians capable of making medical wigs from human hair, production cannot keep up with demand, said Hitomi Iwaoka, 43, secretary general of the National Welfare Beauty and Barber Training Association in Aichi Prefecture. Her organization is acting as a "goodwill" bridge between people willing to donate hair and children in need of wigs.