By Berk Kutay Gokmen
ISTANBUL (AA) – The Japanese government on Friday began compensating victims of forced sterilization under the now-defunct eugenics protection law, which was in effect between 1948 and 1996.
This initiative follows the enactment of a law designed to provide redress to those affected by the law who had not yet filed lawsuits against the state.
The now abolished eugenics protection law, allowed forced infertility procedures for individuals with intellectual disabilities, mental illnesses, or hereditary disorders without their consent in an effort to prevent the birth of what was considered "inferior" offspring.
Under the new compensation scheme, the government will provide 15 million yen ($96,362) to each victim . Spouses of the victims will receive 5 million yen ($32,119), and those who were coerced into having abortions will be compensated with 2 million yen ($12,848), according to the Kyodo news agency.
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba offered a formal apology to the victims and met with some of the plaintiffs, acknowledging the atrocity as the worst human rights violation in Japan’s postwar history.
"Keeping in mind your painful memories and feelings, we will make sure that you can receive compensation (under the new scheme)," Ishiba said.
In 2019, Japan's parliament passed a law that offered 4.4 million yen ($27,885) to individuals who underwent forced infertility procedures, but it faced criticism for offering a "uniform amount" to all victims, regardless of their circumstances.
More than 16,500 people, both women and men, have been subject to sterilizations without their consent. Japan had previously rejected compensation claims, citing that infertility procedures were legally permitted at the time.