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Friday, Feb 20, 2026
Outside the box.
Japan's Top Court Declares Eugenics Law Unconstitutional
Japan's top court has ruled that the eugenics law, which forced thousands of people to be sterilized between 1948 and 1996, was unconstitutional. The Supreme Court also ruled that the 20-year statute of limitations on compensation claims cannot be applied. This is a major victory for victims who have endured decades of suffering. The government had issued an apology and offered compensation in 2019, but survivors argue that it is insufficient. The recent ruling opens the door for more victims to seek justice.
Japan's top court has ruled that the eugenics law, which resulted in the forced sterilization of thousands between 1948 and 1996, was unconstitutional.
The Supreme Court also decided that the 20-year statute of limitations on compensation claims should not apply, a significant victory for the victims.
This ruling follows decades of suffering for approximately 16,500 individuals forcibly sterilized under the law, which aimed to prevent the birth of 'poor quality descendants' by sterilizing people with inheritable intellectual disabilities.
Another 8,500 were sterilized with consent, often under coercion.
The government issued an apology in 2019 and offered a lump-sum payment to victims, but survivors argue this compensation is insufficient.
Regional courts have been divided on the validity of claims beyond the statute of limitations, but the recent Supreme Court ruling opens the door for more victims to seek justice.
The Supreme Court also decided that the 20-year statute of limitations on compensation claims should not apply, a significant victory for the victims.
This ruling follows decades of suffering for approximately 16,500 individuals forcibly sterilized under the law, which aimed to prevent the birth of 'poor quality descendants' by sterilizing people with inheritable intellectual disabilities.
Another 8,500 were sterilized with consent, often under coercion.
The government issued an apology in 2019 and offered a lump-sum payment to victims, but survivors argue this compensation is insufficient.
Regional courts have been divided on the validity of claims beyond the statute of limitations, but the recent Supreme Court ruling opens the door for more victims to seek justice.
