PM Kishida Holds First Meeting of “Headquarters” That Will “eradicate prejudice and discrimination against people with disabilities and eugenics”

By Barrier Free Japan

July 31 2024

TOKYO –  On July 29th, Prime Minister Kishida held the first meeting of the Headquarters for the Promotion of Measures toward the Realization of a Coexisting Society Free from Prejudice and Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities at the Prime Minister’s Official Residence.

The decision to set up the “Headquarters” followed a recent Supreme Court ruling that the former eugenic protection law, which allowed forced sterilizations of disabled people, was unconstitutional.

At the meeting, the history surrounding the former Eugenic Protection Law and efforts to eliminate discrimination on the basis of disability were discussed.

Kishida emphasised the need for discrimination, abuse, isolation, violence and special treatment to end and that people with disabilities have suffered in the past must have no place in a society of coexistence, that the Japanese government:

“must make this into a headquarters that will eradicate prejudice and discrimination against people with disabilities and eugenics. We believe that it is society’s responsibility to remove the social barriers that people with disabilities face, and that the entire society must change. This is why we have established this headquarters, which includes not only the ministries and agencies that oversee administration for people with disabilities and disabled children, but all other ministries and agencies, and which includes all ministers as members. The government will work together as one to eradicate prejudice and discrimination against people with disabilities and eugenics. I ask all ministers to understand the importance of this headquarters and to cooperate with it.”

In his closing remarks, Prime Minister Kishida seemed to urge a quick resolution to issue of compensation for the forced sterilization plaintiffs, in light of their age, stating:

“Minister Kato and Minister Koizumi, in light of the current situation where the plaintiffs are aging and the status of discussions with the plaintiffs’ group, please hurry to quickly resolve the pending lawsuits claiming state compensation under the former Eugenic Protection Law by concluding an agreement for settlement.”