“I want the country to apologize.” Couple with hearing impairments file a lawsuit in Osaka over forced sterilization

Written with extracts From The Asahi Shimbun

January 30th 2019

A couple in their 70s who have hearing impairments in Osaka prefecture file a lawsuit  alleging that they were forced to undergo infertility surgery under the former eugenics protection law, violating their right to pursue of happiness, guaranteed by Article 13 of the Constitution. They filed a lawsuit seeking damages totaling 22 million yen at the Osaka District Court on January 30th.

According to the complaint, in 1974 when the woman involved was 9 months pregnant, she was told that the fetus had abnormality and gave birth at Caesarean section. A few days later the child was told that he died.

The couple asked for payment such as salvation fee, arguing that the wife was made to have a body that can not give birth without her consent, and suffered mental pain.

The couple informed a news conference in Osaka city after filing a complaint and said, “I still feel like I wanted to give birth and bring up a child, I want the country to apologize.”

The former eugenic protection law acting as an agent of a couple Osaka lawyers are consulting at the Osaka bar association support center (06, 6364, 1251) from 1 pm – 4 pm except Saturdays and Sundays