Surviving victims of historical forced sterilisation law in Japan to receive compensation and apology
- About 16,500 people, mostly women with disabilities, were targeted between 1948 and 1996 under a Japanese law that aimed to stop the birth of children described as “inferior”
Thousands of victims of forced sterilisation in Japan will finally be offered compensation for their suffering under a now-defunct eugenics law.
About 16,500 people, mostly women with disabilities, were targeted between 1948 and 1996 under a Japanese law that aimed to stop the birth of children described as “inferior”.
Surviving victims will soon receive a “deep apology” and payments of 3.2 million yen (US$28,700) under the terms of a bill agreed between the ruling party and opposition MPs, with the legislation set to be submitted to parliament next month.
While the move is seen as a welcome step forward after years of inaction, victims and their advocates described the relief package as inadequate.
“The individuals had their rights to decide to bear and raise children violated, so a one-time payment of 3.2 million yen will do nothing to recover the damage done,” said Koji Niisato, a lawyer who represents several victims seeking compensation.