Japan court awards damages to victims of forced sterilisation for first time

By Justin McCurry in Tokyo

Three plaintiffs who suffered under eugenics law to get payouts after judge overturns lower court decision

A court in Japan has awarded damages for the first time to people who were forcibly sterilised under a now-defunct eugenics law designed to prevent the births of “inferior children”.

The Osaka high court overturned a lower court decision and ordered the government to pay a combined ¥27.5m (£175,600) to the three plaintiffs, who are in their 70s and 80s. It described the law, which was abolished in 1996, as “inhumane”.

Source: Japan court awards damages to victims of forced sterilisation for first time

Category: Japan, Asia Pacific, World news