Disability News Japan Podcast: Alleged Forced Sterilization at Hokkaido Care Homes Occurred for More than 20 Years

By Barrier Free Japan 

January 4 2023

JAPAN – On December 18th a ‘group home’ operated by Asunaro Social Welfare Service Corporation in Esashi, Hokkaido, admitted that it had made sterilization a condition for couples with intellectual disabilities for more than 20 years.

The Asunaro Social Welfare Service Corporation operates group homes for people with intellectual disabilities and other welfare facilities in the town of Esashi and elsewhere in Hokkaido. About 410 people use its facilities.

According to the corporation, its homes have since the late 1990s asked male residents to undergo a vasectomy and female residents to use a contraceptive ring if they want to marry or live with a partner at these facilities.