Forced sterilization during post-war era in Japan

The forced sterilization (FS) was regally performed in Japan until 1996 after a now-defunct Eugenic Protection Law was effective in 1948. An estimated 25  000 operations in total underwent for 48 years while eugenic concept has been regarded as a taboo after the World War II.1,2 Little has been known regarding how medical professionals were involved in the decision making of FS before we, a survey team of physicians, nurses and investigational journalists, launched a series of reports on FS recently since February 2018.3 The nationwide newspapers in Japan published over 160 FS-related articles monthly between the March and June 2018 in contrast to<20 articles before January in the same year. The Japanese academic groups of psychiatrists have initiated investigation of the decision process for FS.4 In April 2019, a redress legislation was enacted to express apology of the government for violation to the victims ’ self-determination and reproductive health and to pay the compensation.5

Source: QJM - June 5, 2019 Category: Internal Medicine Source Type: research