The plaintiffs who sued the Japanese government over forced sterilizations performed under the now-defunct Eugenic Protection Law have settled their lawsuits by signing an agreement.
The agreement signed on Friday will bring an end to court battles that have been taking place across the country for more than six years. The government has agreed to offer redress and acknowledge the policy mistakes that it made in the past.
The Eugenic Protection Law allowed people with intellectual or mental disabilities to be forcibly sterilized. It was in effect for 48 years, until it was scrapped in 1996.
Talks aimed at reaching a settlement began after the Supreme Court ruled in July that the defunct law was unconstitutional. The court also ordered the government to compensate the victims.
Under the agreement, the government will offer apologies and pay each plaintiff who underwent surgery 15 million yen. That is about 106,000 dollars.
Couples who filed joint claims will receive the same amount. The person who underwent the operation will receive 13 million yen, or about 92,000 dollars, and the rest of the money will go to the spouse.
The government will continue to hold talks with the plaintiffs’ lawyers, who want the government to implement permanent measures aimed at bringing about a society that is free of discrimination.
The lawyers are also calling for the establishment of a forum, so that dialogues with the government about the issue can be regularly engaged in.
Children’s Policy Minister Kato Ayuko, who signed the agreement, said the government bears responsibility for the enormous mental and physical pain that many people have experienced.
Kato expressed remorse and offered heartfelt apologies. She also pledged to do her best to proceed swiftly with the procedures, so that all the lawsuits can be settled.
Lawsuits involving 19 plaintiffs are ongoing at nine district and high courts across Japan.
A co-leader of the plaintiffs said that her demands have finally been met after 27 years. But she noted that it is not possible to undo the damage done to a body or a life.
She said the victims of sterilization have all grown old. She added that she wants society to become a place where people with disabilities can live normally, just like everyone else, while the victims are still alive.
The plaintiffs say there are many more victims of the defunct law who did not file suits. They say those victims were afraid that they would face discrimination. Lawmakers in the Diet are currently holding talks to determine how such people should be compensated.