Fear of Shaming May Cause Hesitancy in Making Compensation Claims for Japan’s 25,000 Forced Sterilization Victims [Podcast Episode]

By Barrier Free Japan

February 7 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 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.

Episode Notes:

‘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’:

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