Japan’s Eugenics Law: Forced Sterilization of Children and Residents

Two nine-year-old children were among the victims of Japan’s sterilization law, according to a report released by parliament. The law, which was in place for 48 years after World War II, forced people to undergo surgery to prevent them from having children who would be considered “less valuable” by society. Many of the victims had physical or cognitive disabilities as well as mental health problems.

The report, published on June 19, reveals that approximately 25,000 Japanese residents were subjected to these operations, with 16,000 of them being operated on without their consent. The report also highlights that local authorities had the power to prescribe these operations without considering the wishes of the individuals involved.

Among the victims were two nine-year-old children, as well as an 80-year-old woman who was sterilized at the age of 14. The woman, who wanted to be known as Saburo Kita, expressed her hope that the country would take their suffering seriously and not ignore these issues.

Critics of the report argue that it fails to explain why the law was banned 50 years later or why it was passed in the first place. However, Japan did apologize to the victims in 2019 and agreed to compensate each victim with approximately 20,000 euros.

It is important to note that Japan is not the only country to have implemented such a policy. Forced sterilization was also practiced in Germany, Sweden, and the USA.

The eugenics law in Japan has been recognized as a dark period in the country’s post-war era, and its repeal in 1996 marked a significant step towards rectifying the injustices inflicted upon thousands of individuals.

How many individuals in Japan were subjected to sterilization surgeries under the controversial law, and how many of them were operated on without their consent?

Children as young as nine were among the victims of Japan’s sterilization law, which has recently come to light in a report by parliament. This controversial law, which remained in force for 48 years after World War II, compelled individuals to undergo surgeries that would prevent them from having children who were deemed “less valuable” by society. Many of the victims had physical or cognitive disabilities, as well as mental health issues.

The report, released on June 19, uncovered that approximately 25,000 Japanese residents were subjected to these operations, with a staggering 16,000 of them being operated on without their consent. Shockingly, the report also revealed that local authorities had the power to mandate these procedures, disregarding the wishes of the individuals involved.

Among the victims were two nine-year-old children, highlighting the severity and cruelty of this enforced sterilization. The report also shed light on the tragic story of an 80-year-old woman, referred to as Saburo Kita, who was sterilized at the tender age of 14. Saburo Kita expressed her fervent hope that the country would acknowledge the immense suffering endured by these victims and take the necessary steps to address these long-standing issues.

While critics argue that the report falls short in explaining why the law was banned 50 years later, as well as the reasons behind its enactment, it is worth noting that Japan did issue an apology to the victims in 2019. Additionally, the government agreed to provide compensation of around 20,000 euros to each victim, acknowledging the wrongs that were committed.

It is crucial to recognize that Japan was not the sole country to enforce such a policy. Forced sterilization was also practiced in Germany, Sweden, and the United States, underscoring the global nature of this dark period in history.

The eugenics law in Japan has been rightly condemned as a dark and unjust period in the country’s post-war era. Its subsequent repeal in 1996 marked a significant milestone in rectifying the injustices inflicted upon thousands of innocent individuals. It is imperative that we learn from these horrific experiences and ensure that such violations of human rights are never repeated again.