Lawyers and campaigners have long criticised the government and parliament for failing to compensate victims long after the eugenics law was abandoned in 1996. About 20 victims have so far filed lawsuits across the country seeking compensation of up to 38 million yen. Tokyo has pledged to pay the compensation "swiftly" but the government will likely continue to battle in court against victims claiming more. Germany and Sweden had similar eugenics laws and governments there have also apologised and paid compensation to the victims. Under Japan's law, some leprosy patients were also forced into abortions under policies that forbade them from having children.

Source: The Nation Bangkok April 24, 2019 04:18 UTC