Twenty-Six Prefectures in Japan ‘blacked out’ Information on Former Eugenics Protection Law Victims

By Barrier Free Japan with extracts from Kyodo via Yahoo! Japan

August 17 2023

TOKYO –  In response to a Japanese Diet investigation into the issue of forced sterilization of persons with disabilities under the former Eugenic Protection Law (1948-96), 26 prefectures submitted ‘blacked out’ documents to the Japanese Diet, according to an interview with the Research Bureau of the House of Representatives and local governments. 

The main reason given was to protect personal information, but the Japanese Diet had clearly stated that the materials were to be used “only for research and analysis” and were not available for public inspection, and requested “maximum disclosure”.

The implementation of the Japanese Diet investigation into the Eugenic Protection Law was stipulated by the Lump Sum Payment Act for Victim Relief (enacted and enforced in 2019). The purpose was also clearly stated, as “contributing to the realization of an inclusive society.”

In October 2020, the secretariat of both houses of the Japanese Diet requested each local government to provide materials.

The report was released in June 2023, including the results of the survey, including the analysis of materials submitted by local governments.

In response to the request, 11 prefectures responded that they do not store personal data. 36 prefectures stored materials containing personal information such as names and dates of birth, of which 10 prefectures submitted copies as they were, but in 26 prefectures, names and addresses were ‘blacked out’, and municipalities The date of birth and the reason for the surgery were also blacked out.