The Shog-A.I. Shimbun Podcast #44: Japan’s PM Kishida Apologizes Directly to Forced Sterilization Victims for “inexcusable violation of human rights”

By Barrier Free Japan

July 19 2024

TOKYO – In front of more than 130 plaintiffs, lawyers and supporters, Kishida said, “It is with deep regret that at least 25,000 people have suffered the grave harm of being sterilized,” under the eugenics law, which was in effect between 1948 and 1996.

In his first direct apology to the victims since the Supreme Court ruling on July 3, at a meeting with the victims held at the Prime Minister’s Office, Kishida expressed his government’s readiness to settle cases currently pending in courts and even compensate those who have not filed lawsuits, saying: “The government’s responsibility is extremely serious, I am sincerely sorry.”

“The old law was an inexcusable violation of human rights which tramples on individual dignity,” he said.

Kishida explained plans to work with ruling and opposition parties to create a new compensation program for victims.

 “We will reach a conclusion as soon as possible” on the new compensation program, the prime minister said. “We will do our best for a speedy resolution.”

Episode Notes:

‘Japan’s PM Kishida Apologizes Directly to Forced Sterilization Victims for “inexcusable violation of human rights” ’:

Japan’s PM Kishida Apologizes Directly to Forced Sterilization Victims for “inexcusable violation of human rights”