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10mo ago

Japan's Supreme Court Rules Forced Sterilization Unconstitutional, Orders Compensation

The decision ends decades-long legal battles and mandates the government to pay damages to victims of the defunct eugenics law.

Victims of forced sterilization under a now-defunct eugenics law, celebrate with lawyers and supporters outside of the Supreme Court of Japan in Tokyo on July 3, 2024. Japan's top court ruled that a defunct eugenics law under which around 16,500 people were forcibly sterilized between 1948 and 1996 was unconstitutional, local media reported.
Lawyers and supporters of victims of forced sterilization march toward the Supreme Court of Japan in Tokyo, carrying a banner demanding government apologies and compensation, July 3, 2024.
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Overview

  • The court ruled that the 20-year statute of limitations does not apply to forced sterilization claims.
  • Around 25,000 people were sterilized under the eugenics law, 16,500 without consent.
  • The government has acknowledged the violation and previously offered a lump-sum payment to victims.
  • Many victims continue to seek higher compensation and justice for the severe impact on their lives.
  • The ruling is seen as a step towards addressing the historical injustices faced by people with disabilities.