Barrier Free Japan

“The new law, drafted by both ruling and opposition parties, offers an apology to victims but critics say its wording lacks clarity over where the responsibility lies.”

“Many medical societies were involved in the promotion of forced sterilizations, but self-investigations into the practice have been limited to a small portion of the organizations. It is especially rare for the JMSF, the largest academic organization in the country in the medical field, to confront the past history of its member societies and medical scientists. The purpose of the investigation is to identify the factors that led to scientists and physicians at the time to promote forced sterilizations.”

“Prime Minister Shinzo Abe plans to issue a statement offering a state apology to victims of forced sterilization under a now-defunct eugenics law after a redress bill clears parliament, government sources said Tuesday.”

“The nationwide survey, conducted between late March and early April, found that only 67 forced sterilization victims had requested disclosure of their surgery and other related records between January 2018 and March 2019.”

“Victims of a eugenics program are unsatisfied with a relief bill to compensate thousands of people forcibly sterilized under a 1948 law designed to “prevent births of inferior children.” A proposal to provide lump-sum payments of 3.2 million yen ($28,800) for each victim was approved by the Lower House Committee on Health, Labor and Welfare on April 10. [L]awyers cited three main problems with the bill: The state does not directly apologize in the bill; the lump-sum payment is too small; and victims’ spouses and relatives are not eligible to receive relief.

“Diet members from the ruling and opposition parties have jointly compiled a draft bill to provide relief to many with intellectual disabilities and others who underwent sterilization surgery under the now-defunct Eugenic Protection Law.”

“Lawyers indicated that the proposal will not end the litigation. One problem, they said, was that the apology in the bill does not clearly state who is apologizing… The compensation amount outlined in the legislation was also blasted as inadequate.”

“”I don’t think this bill can be said to squarely face up to the suffering (of the victims),” Koji Niisato, a co-leader of the group, said at a news conference, noting that the plaintiffs will continue with their lawsuits.”