37.38% Believe Japan’s Report on Forced Sterilization Would Result in Justice for Victims

Japan’s parliament report revealed shocking details about the forced sterilization in Japan of approximately 25,000 people with disabilities under a now-defunct eugenics law. The law was in effect from 1948 to 1996 and authorized sterilizations of individuals with intellectual disabilities, mental illness, or hereditary disorders to prevent the birth of what was considered “inferior” offspring.

The report disclosed that 65% of the sterilization procedures were performed without the individuals’ consent, and some victims were led to believe they were receiving treatment for an illness. The surgeries were sometimes a condition for admission to welfare facilities or marriage. Additionally, cases of radiation exposure and uterus removals were documented.

The eugenics law was passed unanimously to control population growth and improve the genetic predisposition of the public after World War II. A 1975 high school textbook highlighted the government’s efforts to enhance the country’s eugenics. However, the law was criticized and revised in 2019 due to discriminatory practices.

Under the revised law, victims were granted state compensation of 3.2 million yen ($22,000) each, but many feel that this amount is inadequate. Multiple lawsuits have been filed against the government, with 14 out of 16 rulings concluding that the law was unconstitutional.

The report’s findings have evoked mixed reactions from victims, advocacy groups, and legal representatives. While some praised it for exposing the reality of the surgeries, others emphasized the need for further examination of the compensation law and additional measures to provide relief to the victims.

Real Research, an online survey app, launched a survey on Japan parliament’s report on forced sterilization surgery in Japan to assess public opinion on Japan’s government report on forced sterilizations.

Key Points:

• Most respondents (35.43%) were well aware of Japan’s recent sterilization report.
• The majority of respondents (58.84%) strongly condemned forced sterilization.
• 43.24 believed Japan’s past operations were absolutely a violation of human rights.

The recent report on forced sterilization in Japan has brought to light a grave violation of human rights that affected thousands of individuals, including children, between 1948 and 1996. The report, consisting of 1,400 pages, revealed that approximately 25,000 people, primarily women, underwent non-consensual sterilization procedures under a now-defunct eugenics law.

Firstly, our survey on forced sterilization in Japan revealed that 35.43% of the respondents were completely unaware of Japan’s eugenics law during post-World War 2. Meanwhile, 35.43% were well aware, and 29.76% were vaguely aware.

Apart from that, the findings of the report have evoked strong condemnation from a majority of respondents, with nearly 91.1% condemning the practice of forced sterilization and only a small minority of 8.9% expressing any form of support.

Furthermore, a significant portion of respondents (43.24%) identified the eugenics law as a violation of human rights, while another 37.73% considered it to be somewhat violative. This demonstrates a recognition that the law, which aimed to prevent the birth of “poor-quality descendants” and ensure maternal well-being, fundamentally infringed upon the rights and dignity of individuals subjected to forced sterilization.

Read Also: Human rights violations around the world – Public Survey Results

Mixed Opinions Surround Government Compensation of 3.2M Yen for Forced Sterilization Victims in Japan

The government’s provision of compensation in the amount of 3.2 million yen to victims of forced sterilization has received mixed opinions. While 48.97% of respondents deemed it sufficient, a slightly larger percentage (51.03%) felt that the compensation amount did not adequately reflect the victims’ immense suffering.

Importance of Detailed Government Reports

When asked whether the government report detailing the forced sterilization would lead to justice for the victims, most were optimistic and stated that it might lead, but with a limited impact (37.38%), and 33.06% believed it would help achieve justice. On the other hand, 29.56% believed it would not justify anything.

Importantly, the disclosure of the government report on forced sterilization has the potential to initiate a broader conversation about other human rights violations.

The majority of respondents (64.08%) believed that the report’s release would lead to increased awareness and dialogue surrounding other abuses suffered by people with disabilities and chronic conditions in post-World War II Japan. Additionally, this highlights the need for a comprehensive examination of historical injustices and a commitment to preventing future human rights violations.

Measures to Prevent Forced Sterilization in Japan

To prevent the recurrence of such abuses, respondents suggested several key measures. The most favored approach (48.95%) was to raise public awareness and education on human rights, emphasizing the importance of fostering a society that values and upholds individual rights.

Additionally, 27.7% of respondents called for strengthening local protections and oversight, while 17.74% advocated for stricter punishment for those responsible. These proposed measures underscore the significance of proactive measures at societal, institutional, and legal levels to prevent human rights abuses.

Lastly, when the survey asked whether beyond monetary compensation was required, 43.4% reported yes, while 30.85% said it would depend on the actions taken to prevent future human rights abuses, and 25.75% denied the above statement.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the report on forced sterilization in Japan has exposed a dark chapter in the country’s history, highlighting a severe violation of human rights. The findings have ignited condemnation from most respondents and prompted discussions about the insufficiency of compensation, the need for broader conversations on human rights violations, and the importance of preventive measures to safeguard individuals from future abuses.