Category: Forced Sterilization

“Victims of a eugenics program are unsatisfied with a relief bill to compensate thousands of people forcibly sterilized under a 1948 law designed to “prevent births of inferior children.” A proposal to provide lump-sum payments of 3.2 million yen ($28,800) for each victim was approved by the Lower House Committee on Health, Labor and Welfare on April 10. [L]awyers cited three main problems with the bill: The state does not directly apologize in the bill; the lump-sum payment is too small; and victims’ spouses and relatives are not eligible to receive relief.

“Diet members from the ruling and opposition parties have jointly compiled a draft bill to provide relief to many with intellectual disabilities and others who underwent sterilization surgery under the now-defunct Eugenic Protection Law.”

“Lawyers indicated that the proposal will not end the litigation. One problem, they said, was that the apology in the bill does not clearly state who is apologizing… The compensation amount outlined in the legislation was also blasted as inadequate.”

“”I don’t think this bill can be said to squarely face up to the suffering (of the victims),” Koji Niisato, a co-leader of the group, said at a news conference, noting that the plaintiffs will continue with their lawsuits.”

“京都ダウン症児を育てる親の会(トライアングル”

“The bill will offer an apology and a lump-sum payment of at least 3 million yen ($27,000) to each of the victims, even those without surgical records.”

“Speaking at a protest meeting in December, Takaji Kobayashi claimed he was forcibly sterilised because of a hearing impairment. His wife, Kimiko, who also has a hearing disorder, was coerced into having an abortion and being sterilised…”

” ‘ I want the country to apologize’ A couple in their 70s who have hearing impairments in Osaka prefecture file a lawsuit on January 30th, alleging that they were forced to undergo infertility surgery under the former eugenics protection law, violating their right to pursue of happiness, guaranteed by Article 13 of the Constitution. They filed a lawsuit seeking damages totaling 22 million yen at the Osaka District Court..”

“ ‘Your first child has a disability. (The second) will not grow up properly, either.’