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![Japan's top court rules forced sterilisation law unconstitutional. 1 Louise Thomas](https://static.independent.co.uk/static-assets/support-us/louise-thomas.png)
Japan’s top court has ruled a defunct eugenics law, allowing forced sterilisation between 1948 and 1996, as unconstitutional. Victims sought compensation, with courts divided on validity. The government initially denied liability but agreed to compensate victims in 2019.
The ruling may prompt the government to address the law’s legacy. Despite being outlawed in 1996, textbooks as recent as 1975 promoted eugenics. This ruling brings hope for victims like Saburo Kita, while lawyers advocate for a full resolution.
![Japan's top court rules forced sterilisation law unconstitutional. 2 Supporters and lawyers of victims of forced sterilisation march toward Japan’s supreme court in Tokyo on 3 July 2024](https://static.independent.co.uk/2024/07/03/11/newFile.jpg)