The Japanese government has reached a court settlement with a woman who says she was forcibly sterilized under the now defunct Eugenic Protection Law.
The settlement, which is the first among such court cases, was reached on Wednesday at the Tokyo District Court.
The plaintiff, Nishi Sumiko, is a 77-year-old Tokyo resident. She has cerebral palsy. Nishi filed a lawsuit against the state saying she was forced to undergo sterilization surgery with no explanation at the age of around 14.
Nishi’s legal team says the government agreed to pay more than 16 million yen, or about 106,000 dollars, for the compensation, legal fees and other costs.
The Supreme Court ruled on July 3 that the defunct law was unconstitutional and ordered the state to compensate victims. The law allowed forced sterilization for reasons such as a disability.
The state subsequently said it intends to settle with the plaintiffs as quickly as possible in trials filed across the country.
Defense teams and the state continue talks to conclude a basic agreement on settlements and other issues.
Earlier this month, Prime Minister Kishida Fumio met the plaintiffs in lawsuits involving forced sterilization and apologized to them. But Nishi did not attend the meeting due to health problems that required an early settlement of the lawsuit.
Nishi said online from her home that she is very happy and glad to win the settlement thanks to everyone. She also said she will live her life to the fullest.
Thirty-nine people have filed lawsuits across Japan over the Eugenic Protection Law. Trials are ongoing for about 20 people. The plaintiffs are calling for early settlements.