Survey Shows 19% of People with Intellectual Disabilities in Japan Continue to Face Restrictions Regarding Social Relationships

From Kyodo via Yahoo! Japan

February 26 2023

HOKKAIDO – Kyodo News conducted a survey of people with intellectual disabilities and their families nationwide regarding the problem of people with intellectual disabilities being sterilized or treated at a group home in Hokkaido, it was found on February 26 that approximately one in five (19%) people in their 20s or older have experienced opposition or restrictions from those around them regarding love, marriage or childbirth.

Only 8% had ever married, cohabited or had children. The majority of family members and others were in favour of love and marriage, but about 60% were against having children. The survey highlighted the fact that there are still barriers to marriage and childbirth for people with intellectual disabilities in society as a whole, and that the right of self-determination of the people concerned is restricted.