Prime Minister Fumio Kishida met with plaintiffs who had just won a landmark Supreme Court decision on July 3rd. The court ruled that the defunct eugenics law was unconstitutional and ordered the central government to financially compensate victims.
The meeting took place on July 17th at the prime minister's office in Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward. Plaintiffs were forced to undergo sterilization under the former law, which was enacted in 1948 and remained in effect until 1996. The law aimed to "prevent the birth of defective offspring."
Kishida opened the meeting with an apology, saying, "It is a matter of extreme regret that measures based on the former Eugenic Protection Law have resulted in the serious damage of sterilization to at least 25,000 people over a period of approximately 48 years." He added, "As the enforcer of the law, the government bears an extremely grave responsibility, including the manner in which it was enforced."
Kishida bowed his head and said, "I am sincerely sorry, and on behalf of the government, I offer my apologies."
Similar lawsuits are still ongoing around the country, but Kishida intends to withdraw the government's claim to evoke the statute of limitations. This will allow these lawsuits to move forward toward settlement or other resolution.
The top court's Grand Bench found that the former law was unconstitutional at the time of the legislation and ordered the government to pay reparations without applying the statute of limitations.
The Japan Federation of Bar Associations has taken steps to assist those who are unable to file lawsuits due to various reasons, such as offering consultations.
The plaintiffs are now demanding that the government act quickly in terms of compensation, citing the victims' ages and health concerns.