Nagoya District Court orders state to pay compensation for forced sterilization under former Eugenics Protection Law

In a lawsuit in which a 70-year-old couple in Nagoya sought compensation from the government for being forced to undergo sterilization under the old Eugenics Protection Act, the Nagoya District Court upheld the plaintiffs' lawsuit, ruling that the law violates the Constitution. The country was ordered to pay compensation.

Kazutaka Onoue (77) and Keiko (74), a couple from Nagoya, have hearing impairments, and around 1975, they were forced to undergo sterilization under the old Eugenics Protection Act, and the government paid them more than 29 million yen. I asked for compensation.

In a ruling on the 12th, Nagoya District Court Chief Judge Tsuyoshi Saito ruled that the old Eugenics Protection Act violates the Constitution.

Regarding whether the right to seek compensation, as claimed by the government, has expired as time has passed since the surgery, the government said, ``The government needs to spread and establish in society the perception that people with genetic disorders are inferior.'' ``Even though the plaintiffs have been promoting this, it was impossible for the plaintiffs to make a claim within the period in which they could claim compensation,'' and ordered the government to pay compensation of over 16 million yen.

This is the 10th ruling ordering the government to pay compensation in similar lawsuits filed in various places.

Regarding the former Eugenics Protection Act, the Grand Bench of the Supreme Court has decided to hold arguments in May to hear the arguments of the parties in the five appealed cases, and a unified judgment is expected to be rendered in the summer.

Children and Families Agency: ``We will consult with relevant ministries and agencies and respond appropriately.''

Regarding the Nagoya District Court's ruling, the Children and Family Affairs Agency said, ``We recognize that some of the state's claims were not accepted.We will take appropriate action in the future after examining the contents of the ruling and consulting with the relevant ministries and agencies.'' I would like to continue doing so.''