Disability Eugenics Forced Sterilization Japan

As Japan starts accepting compensation applications from roughly 25,000 eugenics victims, fear of discrimination and inability to apply to due impairment may cause hesitancy

Japan's government says roughly 25,000 people are eligible for compensation as victims of forced sterilization or their bereaved relatives. It is believed that some of them may hesitate to apply due to fear of discrimination or may be unable to do so because of their disabilities.

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by Michael Gillan Peckitt
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By Barrier Free Japan, NHK World

February 6 2025

TOKYO – Japan’s government says roughly 25,000 people are eligible for compensation as victims of forced sterilization or their bereaved relatives. It is believed that some of them may hesitate to apply due to fear of discrimination or may be unable to do so because of their disabilities.

Legislation took effect in Japan on Friday 17th January to provide compensation for people and bereaved families who suffered under the now-defunct Eugenic Protection Law.

The law allowed sterilization and abortion procedures to be performed on people with mental or intellectual disabilities or other conditions. It was in effect for 48 years until it was scrapped in 1996.

The new legislation provides 15 million yen, or about 96,500 dollars, for forcibly sterilized people, 5 million yen to their spouses, and 2 million yen to women who were forced to have an abortion.

1 comment on “As Japan starts accepting compensation applications from roughly 25,000 eugenics victims, fear of discrimination and inability to apply to due impairment may cause hesitancy”

  1. Pingback: Fear of Shaming May Cause Hesitancy in Making Compensation Claims for Japan’s 25,000 Forced Sterilization Victims [Podcast Episode] – Barrier Free Japan

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