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Chronology: Technology/Policy concerning Childbirth (Comprehensive)

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1868 (October)  Prohibition of the sale of abortion medication☆
1869 Meiji government issues an order prohibiting abortion☆
1880 Promulgation of the old Meiji civil code☆
1898 Promulgation of the new Meiji civil code☆
1907 Promulgation of the crime of abortion under the current criminal code☆
1930 Metropolitan Police Department prohibits of birth/pregnancy control☆
1931 Japan Medical Association report "[Implementing] legal regulation of sterilization
    concerning strongly heritable diseases"☆
1934 Proposal of the Ethnic Eugenic Protection Act. Not passed by the Diet☆
1935 Proposal of the Ethnic Eugenic Protection Act. Not passed by the Diet☆
1936 Proposal of the Ethnic Eugenic Protection Act. Not passed by the Diet☆
1937 Proposal of the Ethnic Eugenic Protection Act. Not passed by the Diet☆
1937 Enactment of the Maternal and Child Protection Act. Intended as a measure
    to improve the nutrition of mothers and children
    Yagi [1986:212]〇
1937 Health Center Act
    Yamamoto Katsumi [1987:73-]
1937 The Army requires a promise to establish the Ministry of Public Health (later
the Ministry of Health and Welfare) to improve citizens’ physical condition as a
    condition of supporting the cabinet
    Yamamoto Katsumi [1987:73-]
1937 From 1937 onward the Population Problem Research Association holds
    annual national conferences on population problems and issues recommendations
    concerning these issues
Gendai nihon shoni hoken shi [History of child healthcare in modern Japan]
    (Domesu Shuppan) → Maternal and Child Health Act〇
1938 Proposal of the Ethnic Eugenic Protection Act. Not passed by the Diet☆
1938 Establishment of the Ministry of Health and Welfare
    Yamamoto Katsumi [1987: 73-], Yagi [1986:212]〇
1938 (January 1st) Coming into force of the Maternal and Child Health Act
    "Impoverished mothers with children under 13 years old can obtain living,
    childrearing, occupation and medical assistance to the extent necessary".
    "Illegitimate children" and their mothers are also eligible.
    Later subsumed under the 1946 Public Assistance Act☆
1938 Establishment of health centers
    Yagi [1986:212]〇
1939 Establishment of the Population Problem Research Institute as an organ
    affiliated with the Ministry of Health and Welfare
    Gendai nihon shoni hoken shi [History of child healthcare in modern Japan]
    (Domesu Shuppan) → Maternal and Child Health Act...〇
1940 National Physical Fitness Act: Intended to prevent a decline in nutrition
    during wartime and provide conscription checks (Yagi)
    Yamamoto Katsumi [1987:73-] Yagi [1986:212]〇
1940 Establishment of the National Eugenic Act
1941 Submission of "Population Policy Establishment Prospectus" by the
    Ministry of Health and Welfare Population Bureau. It is approved at
cabinet meeting in January
    "Looking toward the establishment and development of the East Asia
    Co-prosperity Sphere, [it] targeted [a population of] 100,000,000 people
    in Japan in" (Yamamoto)
    It stipulates "setting 100,000,000 as the current Showa 35 [1960] population
    target" in order to "plan for the long-lasting, sound development of the
    East Asia Co-prosperity Sphere", and lays out in detail concrete policies to
       increase the population. Regarding increasing births it "[sets a] target of five
    children per couple over the next ten years", and it hopes for a 35% reduction in
    the death rate over 20 years.
    (Hokenshi [History of healthcare])
    Yamamoto Katsumi [1987:73-]☆
    Gendai nihon shoni hoken shi [History of child healthcare in modern Japan]
    (Domesu Shuppan) → Maternal and
    Child Health Act...〇
1941 As organs of implementation of the Population Policy Establishment
    Prospectus the Population Bureau, and within it the Mother and Child Department,
    are set up within the Ministry of Health and Welfare.
    The proposal to establish a population policy council chaired by the Prime
    Minister within the cabinet is not implemented.
    Gendai nihon shoni hoken shi [History of child healthcare in modern Japan]
    (Domesu Shuppan) → Maternal and Child Health Act...〇
1941 (July 1st) Enactment of the National Eugenic Act
    Yamada Katsumi [1987:73-] Yagi [1986:212-213] (citing Asahi July 1st,
1941)☆
1941 Public health nurse regulation. Fitness test up to 25 years of age. Sorting by
    fitness
    Yamada Katsumi [1987:73-]
1942 Pregnant woman health-record book system "Birth splendid children, serve
    our country."
    Implementation of a "Pregnant woman protection health-record book
    system" in line with the Population Policy Establishment Prospectus:
    Along with medical examinations during pregnancy, it also provided for the special
    distribution of food and necessities.
    (Hokenshi [History of healthcare])
    Yamamoto Katsumi [1987:73-] Maternal and Child Protection Act...〇
    Gendai nihon shoni hoken shi [History of child healthcare in modern Japan]
    (Domesu Shuppan) → Maternal and Child Health Act...〇
1942 "National Healthcare Guidance Measures Prospectus"
    Healthcare Centers are positioned as the core of the national healthcare
    guidance network.
    Yamamoto Katsumi [1987:73-]
1947 Establishment of the Maternal and Child Hygiene Department in the Ministry
    of Health and Welfare's Child Bureau.
    Yagi [1986:213]〇
1947 Enactment of the "Healthcare Center Act"
    Yagi [1986:213]〇
1947 Enactment of the "Child Welfare Act"
    Yagi [1986:213]〇 Citing "Mokuteki [Purpose]"
1947 "Pregnant woman health-record book" becomes "mother and child health-record
    book".
    Preventing syphilis and tuberculosis is the main focus.
    (Yagi)
    "Take care so that splendid children will be born" (Maternal and child...)
    Yagi [1986:213] Maternal and Child Health Act...[10]
1948 (Sep.) Implementation of the Eugenic Protection Act
    Yamamoto Katsumi [1987:94-], Yagi [1986:214] (Citation of Article 1, Chapter
    1)☆
1949 Partial revision of the Eugenic Protection Act. Addition of "Economic
       reasons"
    Yagi [1986:214] 〇 ☆
1952 Partial revision of the Eugenic Protection Act
    Streamlining of the process: Abortion becomes possible with only the
    judgment of a doctor designated by the Eugenic Protection Act and the
    consent of the person in question/his or her spouse. The framework of eugenic
    surgery is expanded to also include non-hereditary mental illness.
    Yagi [1986:214] ☆
1953 (June 12th) Notification from the administrative vice-minister of the Ministry of
    Health and Welfare
    The "period when survival outside the mother’s body is impossible" is to be
    considered to be "up until the eighth month of pregnancy" (28 weeks)
1955 Partial revision of the Eugenic Protection Act. Sale of contraceptive drugs
    by birth control implementation advisers is permitted☆
1956 Initiation of sex chromatin analysis using amniocentesis
1958 (April 1st) Prostitution Prevention Act comes into effect☆
1960 Around this time the [birth control] pill began to be used in Japan☆
1961 Three-year old health examinations: Notification of implementation
    Yamamoto Katsumi [1987:94-], Yagi [1986:197,214]〇
1962 Pharmaceutical companies apply to the Ministry of Health for permission to
    manufacture the [birth control] pill☆
1963 Occurrence of the thalidomide incident☆
1964 Promulgation of the Maternal and Child Welfare Act
    Yagi [1986:214]〇
1964 (Tokyo Olympics)
    Health and Welfare Minister Kobayashi proclaims, "I want to get rid of our bad
    reputation as an abortion paradise"☆
1965 Use of diagnostic imaging (single contrast method) begins
1965 (August) Promulgation of the Maternal and Child Health Act
    Yamamoto Katsumi [1987:85], Yagi [1986:214-215] (Citing articles 1 and 2)
1965 Three year-old child health examinations are legislated along with
    enactment of the Maternal and Child Health Act
    "You yourself must be healthy in order to be a good mother"
    Yagi [1986:197,214]〇 Maternal and Child Health Act ...[10]
1965 The "Maternal and Child Health-record Book" is created on the basis
    of the Maternal and Child Health Act
    Yagi [1986:215] (Citing articles 15 and 16)
1965 Interim report of the Central Child Welfare Council
    "Concerning the systemization and active promotion of maternal and child
    health and welfare facilities"
    Yagi [1986:214]〇
1966 Ministry of Health and Welfare: "Implementation prospectus concerning
    maternity/infant and small child health examinations and healthcare guidance"
    Yamamoto Katsumi [1987:85]
1966 Chromosome analysis using amniocentesis begins
1967 Citing side effects as its reason, the Ministry of Health and Welfare does not
    permit manufacture of the [birth control] pill☆
1967 Formation of the "Association for the Reform of the Eugenic Protection
    Act" mainly by "Seicho-No-Ie" (Office in the Forest)
1967 (Autumn) PKU screening using the Guthrie method is begun
    Naruse [1978]→Shirai Isao et al. [1982:20]
1967 The Abortion Act is enacted in the UK. It has a major influence on the
    liberalization of abortion in Western countries. Pre-natal diagnosis is made
    possible
1968 (May) Maternal and child health measures association "Opinion concerning the
    establishment of a comprehensive maternal and child health policy"
    Raising issues such as the high maternal and child mortality rate, increase in
    children with mental and physical disabilities, marked reduction in birthrate,
    and inadequate newborn care, and demanded state responsibility for maternal
    and child health, the expansion of the maternal and child healthcare system
    with legal, financial, and political support, and measures to protect working
    women. (Hokenshi [History of healthcare])
    Yagi [1986:215-216]
    Gendai nihon shoni hoken shi [History of child healthcare in modern Japan]
     (Domesu Shuppan) → Maternal and Child Health Act
1968 Concerned organizations such as the Japanese Society of Child Health form
    the "Council for the Promotion of Maternal and Child Health" and begin an
    activist movement.
    Gendai nihon shoni hoken shi [History of child healthcare in modern Japan]
     (Domesu Shuppan) → Maternal and Child Health Act
1968 Central Child Welfare Council Opinion Report
    Toward the urgent realization of the necessary improvements to the maternal
    and child healthcare system in response to rapid social change...
    Gendai nihon shoni hoken shi [History of child healthcare in modern Japan]
    (Domesu Shuppan) → Maternal and Child Health Act
1968 Enzyme analysis using amniocentesis begins
1969 Population Problem Council Interim Report
    "In order to prevent a decline in population a restoration of birthing capacity
    is needed. To this end the government should strongly promote social
    development"☆
1969 The Ministry of Health commissions the Japan Medical Association to carry
    out a study on the actual state of affairs concerning the Eugenic Protection
    Act☆
1969 Formation of the "Seicho-No-Ie" (Office in the Forest) Political Union
        (Government Union) Diet Members Alliance"☆
1969 Formation of the "Eugenic Protection Act Diet Members Committee"
    "Association for the Revision of the Eugenic Protection Act" becomes active.
    Yagi [1986:218]
1970 (March) A question and answer session concerning the necessity of revision for
    the worse of the Eugenic Protection Act occurs in the House of Representatives
    Budgetary Committee☆
1970 (April) A question and answer session suggesting the necessity of reform of the
    Eugenic Protection Act occurs in the House of Representatives Budgetary
       Committee☆
1975 (May) Movement in opposition to pleas for a reduced sentence following the
    killing of a disabled child (Kanagawa Prefecture)
1970 (August) Japan Medical Association issues "On Eugenic Protection Measures"
    based on the previous year's study
    While opposing the Seicho-No-Ie (Office in the Forest) movement, it argued that
    reasons related to the fetus be added to conditions under which abortion is
    permitted as a means of preventing the birth of "infants with innate
    abnormalities"☆
1970 (October 21st) Japanese [women's] lib conducts its first street activities
    Beginning in the summer, activism was undertaken in opposition to revisions
    for the worse of the Eugenic Protection Act☆
1970 Nikkeiren [Japan Federation of Employers' Associations] releases its
    "Employment Policy Research Report"
    Proposes the revision of the Eugenic Protection Act as a measure to increase
    the workforce population
1970 The Central Child Welfare Council "'Maternal and Child Health Measures'
    that must be implemented immediately"
    Served only as a defensive role against budget cuts (in comparison to 1968)
    (Hokenshi [History of healthcare])
    Yagi [1986:217-218]
    Gendai nihon shoni hoken shi [History of child healthcare in modern Japan]
    (Domesu Shuppan) → Maternal and Child Health Act
1970 Fetoscope: visual examination of fetuses begins
1972 (May) Proposal for the revision for the worse of the Eugenic Protection Act is
    put before the 68th session of the Diet
1972 (May) Ministry of Health and Welfare: The [birth control] pill is designated as
    a "drug requiring direction" (a drug requiring a prescription from a doctor)
1972 (June) Over the counter sale of the [birth control] pill is prohibited
1972 "Health Center Problem Committee Keynote Report"
    Yamamoto Katsumi [1987:76]
1972 αFP diagnosis using amniocentesis begins to be carried out
1972 Fetal biopsy using a fetoscope begins to be carried out
1972 Visual diagnosis (ultrasound diagnosis) begins to be carried out
1972 Japan Association for People with Cerebral Palsy "Aoi Shiba no Kai"
    begins to criticize the movement to reduce the sentence of the person convicted
    of killing a child with a disability in Kanagawa Prefecture
1972 Amniotic fluid examinations begin in Hyogo Prefecture. This is criticized by
    disabled people's groups.
    (Tanioku Katsumi [1973])
    cf. Matsunaga Masazumi, December 2001, "Hyogo Prefecture 'Movement to
    prevent the birth of unhappy children' and the lives of people with disabilities"
    Osaka jinken hakubutsukan kiyo [Osaka Human Rights Museum Bulletin] 5:109-126→
    Included in Toso to soko ・1──Oite:Kansai・[Struggling and going upstream ・1
    ── Place: Kansai・10]

1973 (March 14th) Newspaper report, "Resubmission of revision for the worse bill of the
    Eugenic Protection Act ?"☆
1973 (May) Resubmission of revision for the worse bill of the Eugenic Protection Act.
    Discussion conducted afterwards. Movement in opposition☆
1973 (May 24th) Response from Tagawa Seiichi (then LDP/House of Representatives
    Society Labor Committee Chairman) to questions posed by the Green Grass
     Association
1973 (September 24th) Decision is made to continue discussion into the next Diet
    session☆
1973 (October 23rd - 24th) Special lecture "In order to avoid the birth of unhappy
    children" given at the Maternity Hygiene Conference (Tokushima City)
    Ribunyusu kono michi hitosuji mini ban [Lib News This Single Road Mini Edition] 5
    (October 10th 1973):3
1973 (December) In response to House of Councilors member Suhara (Pharmacists
    Association) 's question, "Why won't you lift the ban on the [birth control] pill?",
    Prime Minister Tanaka replies, "its use for purposes other than contraception,
    based on the judgement of doctors, is not prohibited by law. It can be bought at a
    pharmacy with a doctor's prescription"☆
1974 (April 20th) Women with disabilities stage a protest against a Mona Lisa
    exhibition that denies entry to people with disabilities and are arrested.
    Group protest in which women protest the shutting out of people with
    disabilities and baby carriages until the final day [of the exhibition]☆
1974 (May) The revision for the worse bill of the Eugenic Protection Act entered
     discussion once again, but a vigorous movement in opposition was once again
    carried out and the bill was abandoned before discussion had been completed☆
1974 Central Child Welfare Council Report "On child welfare measures that
    should be promoted going forward"
    Plans for maternal and child health, medicine and the sound education/training of
    children in order to improve the capabilities of the rising generation that would bear
    the burden of the low-birthrate and low-deathrate generation
    Yagi [1986:197]
1974 "It is necessary to consider the problem of population resources from both
    the side of improving desirable resources and the side of eliminating undesirable
    resources, and to promote this comprehensively through various types of related
    policies" is given as one item in Kosei hakusho [Welfare White Paper] (1974
    edition)'s "Improving population resources" section.
    Yagi [1986:221]
1974 Fetal blood sampling using a fetoscope begins
1974 Hyogo Prefecture ceases amniotic fluid testing
1975 International Women's Year global conference, adoption of a global activism
    plan☆
1975 Villus sampling method: chromosome/Enzyme/DNA analysis begins
1975 In France women's freedom to have an abortion up to the tenth week of
    pregnancy is acknowledged.
    (Prenatal diagnosis had begun in 1972)
1975 (June) The "Aoi Shiba no Kai" Kanagawa Prefecture joint association
    conference submits a petition concerning prenatal diagnosis to the governor
    of Kanagawa Prefecture, and begins activism in opposition to this practice in
    earnest. →in April of 1976 the Prefecture makes "a definite commitment to
    cease[prenatal screening] at hospitals run by the prefecture, including child
    medical centers from this point forward"
1976 Inauguration of the International Population Problems Diet Members' Committee
    (Chaired by Kishi Nobusuke)
    A second subcommittee (Family Planning/Maternal and Child Health Subcommittee)
    was established
    Yagi [1986:197], Yamamoto [1983:79]〇
1976 Third revision of the "Maternal and Child Health-record Book"
    Presented in Yagi [1986:221-223]
1976 (January 20th) Ministry of Health and Welfare Administrative Vice-Minister
    Announcement
    "The period during which [the] life [of a fetus] cannot be preserved outside of
    the mother's body" will be considered to be “up until the seventh month of
    pregnancy" (24 weeks)
1976 DNA analysis using amniocentesis begins
1976 Congenital Disabilities Act is enacted in the UK. It becomes possible for
    families (parents) to sue a doctor when a child with a disability is born as a
    result of the doctor's nonfulfillment of his or her obligation to the parents.
1976 The Congenital Disabilities Act is enacted in the US. As a result fetal
    diagnosis becomes widespread.
1976 Revision of Section 218 of the West German criminal code. Abortion is not
    to be punished "when there are strong reasons to believe that the child has
    suffered unrecoverable damage to its health status as a result of the
    influence of heredity or pre-natal injury, and that this damage is sufficiently
    severe that the pregnant woman cannot be required to continue the pregnancy"
1977 18 month medical examination: notification of implementation is given to
    municipalities
    Yamamoto [1987:90-], Yagi [1986:191,214] 〇
1977 Rubella vaccine is administered to middle-school girls (aged 13-15)
    Ishigami [1987:153]
1977 Testing for five kinds of congenital metabolic disorders (phenylketonuria,
    maple syrup urine disease, homocystinuria, histidinemia, and galactosemia) begins
    nationwide
    Yagi [1986:197]
    The cost of the testing is paid out of public funds (Naruse [1978]→Shirai Isao
    et al. [1982:20])
1977 [The following] reached the point of a plan jointly proposed by four parties
    (the Liberal Democratic Party, the Social Democratic Party of Japan, the Komei
    Party, and the Democratic Socialist Party) but was not presented to the Diet:
    @Proposed Revision of Maternal and Child Health [Act]
    (stipulation of family planning guidance and heredity counseling, assigning
    motherhood to post-pubescent women, consistent management from infancy to
    adulthood)
    ASimultaneously create a maternity health basic bill
    Yamamoto [1983:79]〇
1978 (November 21st) Ministry of Health and Welfare Administrative Vice-Minister
    Announcement:
    "The period during which [the] life [of a fetus] cannot be preserved outside of
    the mother’s body" will be considered to be "before the 23 full weeks of
    pregnancy" (In accordance with the WHO method of indicating the duration of
    a pregnancy)
1979 Liberal Democratic Party presentation, "Policies concerning solid family
    foundations"☆
1979 Addition of testing for cretinism to the five types [of congenital metabolic
       disorders] introduced in 1977
    Yagi [1986:197]
1980 (January) Addition of testing for congenital hypthyroidism to the five types [of
    congenital metabolic disorders] introduced in 1977
    Shirai Isao et al. [1982:20]↑?
1979 (June 13th) Inauguration of the "Family Health Act Fundamental Problem
    Consideration Committee" (Minister of Health and Welfare private advisory
    body)
    "Seicho-No-Ie" (Office in the Forest) directors et al. (24 members)
    Yagi [1986:181-184]
    ("Family Health Act Fundamental Problem Consideration Committee"
    "Seicho-No-Ie" (Office in the Forest) director et al. (24 members)
    Yamamoto [1983:79]〇↑?)
1981 (March) March presentation to the Diet is extended (extensive deliberations
    are conducted)
    Yagi [1986:181-184], Yamamoto [1983:79]〇
1981 (December 7th) Release of the Study Committee Report
    The meaning of valuing primary care is "implementing health management both
    mentally and physically, and on both an individual and national basis". The intention
    is to discover at the first stage "various factors that hinder health...in order to
    leave high-quality descendants for the nation"
    Concerning this report Yagi [1986:181-184], Yamamoto [1983:79]〇
1982 (February) The Central Child Welfare Council Maternal and Child Health Measures
    Special Committee begins its consideration.
    Yagi [1986:184-186]
    (...Special Committee Yamamoto [1983:79]〇↑?)
1982 (March 1st) "Seicho-No-Ie" (Office in the Forest) Political Alliance Diet
       Members' Conference is opened, resolves to implement in the near two the major
    goals of revising the Constitution and revising the Eugenic Protection Act☆
1982 (March) Proposal to put a Eugenic Protection Act Revision Bill before the Diet.
    Allowing abortion for "economic reasons" does not touch on the "fetus provision"
    which goes against a spirit of respecting life.
    Ozawa [October 1987:332], Yagi [1986:220]〇
1982 (March 15th) "Seicho-No-Ie" (Office in the Forest) Political Alliance's Murakami
    Masakuni (Liberal Democratic Party) engages in comprehensive questioning
       concerning the Eugenic Protection Act in the House of Councilors Budgetary
    Committee and gets Prime Minister Suzuki and Health and Welfare Minister
    Morishita to promise to implementing revisions☆
1982 (March 27th) "Central Eugenic Protection Act Examination Committee" begins
    deliberations concerning revision☆
1982 (April) Mother Teresa visits Japan, speaks in various locations
    Her "Protect the dignity of life" campaign includes activities such as holding
    breakfast meetings with Diet members☆
1982 (June 24th) Japan Maternity Protection Medical Association releases "Opinion
    concerning the Eugenic Protection Act"
    Makes clear [this association's] stance in opposition to revision☆
1982 (July 13th) "Gathering of citizens to appeal for the respect of life and to save the
    lives of fetuses" held with the Family Life Association as its main organizer. It
    establishes "life day" and appeals for the realization of reforms to the Eugenic
    Protection Act. Minister of Health and Welfare Morishita attends and receives the
    gathering's resolutions in writing☆
1982 (July 17th) "Statement of objections and demands" is adopted by all members of
    the Revision for the worse of the Eugenic Protection Act Prevention Assembly☆
1982 (July 19th) "Statement of objections and demands" is submitted to the Ministry
    of Health and Welfare
1982 (August 17th) "Statement of opposition and opinions concerning the regression
    revision of the Eugenic Protection Act" is distributed to the members of both
    houses of the Diet☆
1982 (August 19th) Representative Minowa Sachio (Communist Party) asks questions
    in the House of Councilors Judicial Affairs Committee from a perspective opposing
    revision for the worse☆
1982 (August 30th) Promulgation of "Government ordinance to revise parts of the
    implementation of the Eugenic Protection Act and the ordinances of the Public
    Health Council"
    (Establishes the "Eugenic Protection Committee" within the Public Health Council.
    Deliberations concerning the "revision" of the Eugenic Protection Act are to be
    conducted here)☆
1982 (November 3rd) 1100 people participate in a "Gathering in opposition to the '82
    revision for the worse of the Eugenic Protection Act" between 10:00 and 18:00 at
    Sacred Heart Cathedral in Shibuya, Tokyo. Corresponding events are held
        throughout the country☆
1983 (January 1st) Tohoku University charter concerning in vitro fertilization and
    embryo transplantation
1983 (March) Submission of the Eugenic Protection Bill is deferred as a result of
    national opposition, activism, and the adoption of petitions at various local
    legislatures. The Eugenic Protection Committee is dominated by the cautious
    view that the time is not yet right
    Yagi [1986:220]
1983 (April 12th) Tokushima University Ethics Committee makes a determination about
    an application concerning "transplanting an egg fertilized outside the human body
    into a womb"
1983 (May) Liberal Democratic Party Policy Research Council Society Committee
    "Subcommittee for the Review of the Eugenic Protection Act" interim report
    Yagi [1986:220]
(Release of the Liberal Democratic Party Policy Research Council Society
    Committee Subcommittee for the Review of the Eugenic Protection Act interim
    report "On the handling of the Eugenic Protection Act". Yamamoto [1983:80])
1983 (July 28th) Child Council Task Force Opinion Report "On maternal and child
    health policy going forward"
    Responding to the committee member report in December 1981
    Yagi [1986:184-186], Yamamoto [1983:80]
1983 (October) Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology Report "Opinions
    concerning 'in vitro fertilization/embryo implantation'"
    Nihon sanka fujinka gakkai shi [Journal of the Japan Society of Obstetrics and
    Gynecology]
35-10:7→ Japanese Society of Fertility and Sterility (Ed.)
      [1996:215-219] <95>
1983 (November) An article advocating "pre-nuptial consensus--Let’s pass on
    good blood" is published in the 1984 Special New Year's Edition of 25ans
    →1983 (December)
1983 (December) National Movement for the Liberation of People with Disabilities
Liaison Conference, opposition to Fujingaho →1984 (February)
1984 (February) Comprehensive apology issued by Fujingaho (February 1984)
1984 Addition of testing for neuroblastoma to the six types of examinations [of
       congenital metabolic disorders] introduced in 1979
    Yagi [1986:197]
1984 (March) For the first time in 20 years, the Ministry of Health and Welfare sets a
    policy for the revision of the Maternal and Child Health Act with the aim of
    preserving and improving maternal and infant health, and initiates concrete
       consideration and discussion about it.
    Questions in the Diet Yomiuri Shinbun March 10th, 1984 (cited in Yagi
     [1986:187-188])
1985 (March) Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology Report
    "Opinion concerning research dealing with human sperm, eggs, and fertilized
    eggs"
    Nihon sanka fujinka gakkai shi [Journal of the Japan Society of Obstetrics and
    Gynecology]
37-3:7
    →Japanese Society of Fertility and Sterility (Ed.) [1996:220-223] <95>
1985 (Juy 22nd) Report of the Regional Administrative Reform Promotion
    Sub-committee of the Administrative Reform Council
    "[Making] 11 items including administration of maternal and child healthcare
    obligations of municipalities” as one of administrative functions
1985 (August 25th) "Maternal and child health-record books for unmarried women"
    Yomiuri Shimbun August 25th, 1985 (Yagi [1986:187-188])
1985 (September 23rd) "Towards the introduction of a congenital abnormality
    monitoring system" Asahi Shimbun September 23rd, 1985 (Yagi
    [1986:188-189])
1985 (October 31st) "National liaison group opposing revision for the worse
    of the Maternal and Child Health Act and considering the state of maternal
    and child health"
    Written request submitted to the Minister of Health and Welfare (Yagi
    [1986:189])
1984 (March) Clarifying the government's revision of the Maternal and Child Health
    Act
    Yamamoto Katsumi [1987 10:] Ozawa [1987 10:333]
1985 (August 24th) Presentation of the main points of the Ministry of Health
    and Welfare's revision of the law
    (1) Establish "maternity medical examinations" and "maternity health-record
    book"for the sake of the management of pre-natal maternal health
    (2) Install computer terminals in the obstetrics wards of hospitals throughout
    the country and implement constant reporting focusing on the state at birth
    in order to set up a "newborn monitoring system" that examines congenital
    abnormalities.
    (3) Make 18-month medical examinations a part of the law
    (4) Shift maternal and child healthcare administration from prefectures to
    municipalities and consolidate it with what is carried out by this level of
    government.
    Yamamoto Katsumi [198710:]
1985 Ministry of Health and Welfare sets out a "congenital abnormality monitoring
    system"
    Yamamoto Katsumi [1987 10:113]
1985 (December) Medical Service Act revision. Indicates the establishment of "local
    (healthcare) medical services plans" in prefectures
    Yamamoto Katsumi [1987 10:113]
1986 (June 12th) Sugiyama Shiro makes a "declaration of the continuation of
    birth sorting" through the percoll method in the mass media.
    "Apart from medical ethics, there is also the ethics of housewives suffering
    from the pressures of the family system, and of couples troubled by fears of
    congenital diseases" Yomiuri Shinbun June 12th
    Mukai Shoko [1990:136-137] (presented along with the ensuing reaction)
1986 (July) It becomes clear that villus diagnosis is already being performed
    in Japan and the number of clinical uses has reached 70. (Group - Women's
    Human Rights and Sex [1989:21] (Chronology))
1986 (September) Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology's "Ethics
    committee on medical care/research" releases an opinion on sex selection
    using the percoll method. Its contents include limiting [its] application as a
    rule to the prevention of sex-linked recessive genetic disorders such as
    hemophilia.
1986 (September) Japan Medical Association's "Bioethics Committee" releases an
    opinion that male/female sex selection should be limited to the prevention of
    sex-linked recessive genetic disorders. Leaves an avenue of clinical
    application open by accepting, as an exception, its being carried out with acception
    of either the Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology or a university ethics
    committee
    "Opinion concerning 'sex selection'" (Japan Medical Association Bioethics
       Committee determination)
1986 (November) Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology Report "Opinion on
    the clinical application of a method of XY sperm selection using percoll"
    Nihon sanka fujinka gakkai shi [Journal of the Japan Society of Obstetrics and
    Gynecology]
38:11 →Okamoto, Baba & Furusho (Eds.) [1998:213-214] <95, 430>
    Limited to severe sex-linked recessive genetic disorders, use carries an
    obligation to record and report.
1986 (November 29th) "Opinion on whether the use of organs of fetuses and newborns
    in research is right or wrong, and its permissible scope" (Japan Society of
    Obstetrics and Gynecology Report).
    (Approved by the board of directors on November 29th, 1986. Then "commentary"
    was added in December 1991.)
1986 (December) Partial revision of the Maternal and Child Health Act as one part
    of the "Bill concerning the organization/rationalization of duties carried out
by the executive agencies of local public organizations as national agencies":
the duties stipulated in the Maternal and Child Health Act were duties delegated to
    agencies, and local public organizations would now become their main implementers.
    Yamamoto Katsumi [198710:114-115]
1987 "Explanation of 'Opinion on the clinical application of a method of XY sperm
    selection using percoll'"
    Nihon sanka fujinka gakkai shi [Journal of the Japan Society of Obstetrics and
    Gynecology]
39-3
    →Okamoto, Baba, Furusho (Eds.) [1988:214-215] <95, 430>
1987 (November) The Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology
    "Opinion concerning the diagnosis of congenital abnormalities in fetuses, in
    particular villus testing in the early period of pregnancy"
    Nihon sanka fujinka gakkai shi [Journal of the Japan Society of Obstetrics and
    Gynecology]
40-1 (1988.1)→
    Okamoto, Baba, Furusho (Eds.) [1988:305-306] <95, 430>
    Targeting cases such as those in which either parent carries a congenital
    abnormality or sex-linked recessive genetic disorder, previous children had
    congenital abnormalities, or advanced-age childbirth, discusses topics such as
    giving adequate explanation of tests.
1988 (January) Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology opinion on fetal
    diagnosis (see above)
    Sex should not be disclosed [to the parents] except in the case of a
    recessive genetic disorder. Testing should be conducted by doctors trained in
    safe and accurate methods. "[In utero testing] involves many problems, both
    ethical and social".
    Mukai Shoko [1990:135]
1988 A study conducted by Tohoku University Faculty of Medicine Department of
    Pediatric Medicine Professor Tada Keiya shows that the number of cases of
    congenital metabolism abnormality illnesses diagnosed through fetal testing in
    Japan has reached 260. The results of a survey conducted at 15 of the main
    hospitals conducting fetal diagnosis found 63 cases of abnormalities having
    been diagnosed. In all cases the fetus was aborted in accordance with the
    wishes of the parents. It also shows that villus testing has begun to be carried
    out in addition to amniotic testing.
    (Asahi Shimbun May 22nd 1988 → Group / Women's Human Rights and Sex
    [1989:27] (Chronology))
1988 (May) Toho University Faculty of Medicine applies to an internal university
    ethics committee for permission to put into practice genetic diagnosis of
    congenital diseases such as muscular dystrophy via the extraction and
     testing of genes from the chorionic villus of the placenta of the pregnant
    woman. This is the first attempt at genuine clinical application in Japan.
    (Nikkei May 12th, 1988→ Group / Women’s Human Rights and Sex
     [1989:26] (Chronology))
1988 (December) Toho University Faculty of Medicine ethics committee approves
    an application for prenatal genetic diagnosis of Duchenne muscular
        dystrophy. This is the first time villus testing has been officially accepted by a
    university ethics committee in Japan.
1988 Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology issues a "Report on
    cryopreservation and transplantation of human embryos and eggs"
    Nihon sanka fujinka gakkai shi [Journal of the Japan Society of Obstetrics and
    Gynecology]
40-4:1-2 <95>
1990 (March 20th) Abortion period: until the 22nd week of pregnancy (21 weeks)
1990 (January10th) National Disabled People's Liberation Movement Liaison
    Conference / Japan Cerebral Palsy Patient's Association National Green
    Grass Association General Alliance Conference "Statement of protest and
    questions" addressed to the Governor of Okayama Prefecture (regarding a
    hysterectomy incident)
1990 (January 24th) Response from Okayama Prefecture
1991 (January 1st) Implementation of the determination of March 20th 1990
1991 The Japan Society of Human Genetics begins a system of clinical genetics
    medical certification
1992 (September) Shusseizenshindan wo kangaeru - 1991 nendo seishokugijutsu
    kenkyu chiimu kenkyuhokokusho - [Considering prenatal diagnosis: research
    report of the reproductive technology research team in academic year 1991]
,
    Bioethics Research Society Reproductive Technology Research Team, Bioethics
    Research Society, September 1992, 194 p.
1994 Asaka Yuho makes an appeal to the world concerning the actual state of
    affairs of the Eugenic Protection Act at the Cairo International Conference
    on Population and Development
1994 Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology "1993 ethics committee report on
    treatment and research"
    Nihon sanka fujinka gakkai shi [Journal of the Japan Society of Obstetrics and
    Gynecology]
46-5 <89>
1994 (December 5th) The Japan Society of Human Genetics Committee on Genetic
    Counseling and Prenatal Diagnosis (chaired by Matsuda Ichiro) report
    "Guidelines concerning genetic counseling and prenatal diagnosis"
    (Approved December 5th, 1994)
1995 (April) The Japan Society of Human Genetics begins its clinical cellular genetics
    certification system → clinical cellular genetics system similar to the Japan
    Society of Human Genetics clinical genetics certification system
1995 Beijing conference
1995 (December 7th) Liberal Democratic Party Society Committee holds a meeting
    to study the Eugenic Protection Act. The Mental Health Division explains its
    history, content, etc. In these materials "eugenic thought was strengthened"
    through the process that led from the National Eugenic Act to the Eugenic
    Protection Act. JB
1995 (December 13th) Women from various fields and parts of society meet with
    Minister of Health and Welfare Morii. They demand that [the Ministry] follow
    up on the Beijing and Cairo conferences. They appeal for the abolition of the
    Eugenic Protection act and the crime of abortion. JB
1995 (December 16th) Mouri Taneki's "Yusei hogoho no haishi wo nozomu [Desiring the
    abolition of the Eugenic Protection Act" is published in the Asahi Shimbun.
    It sparks a debate within the movement over the assertion that abortion should be
    moved to the Maternal and Child Protection Act. JB
1995 (December 17th) 1st Open Forum to Consider Infertility and Reproductive
    Technology
    What are the current problems concerning infertility and reproductive
    technology? What are the "patients' needs"?
1995 (December 18th) DPI Women with a Disability Network and Soshiren have
    consultation meetings with the Mental Health Division and the Maternal and
    Child Health Division. A two stage approach that first eliminates eugenic
    thought and then [addresses] women's right to choose is put forward by the
    Ministry of Health and Welfare. JB
1995 (December 26th) "Let's get rid of the Eugenic Protection Act/Crime of
    Abortion, Let's Change the Maternal and Child Welfare Act" national liaison
    meeting invites Socialist Party representatives Asahi and Hori and New Party
    Sakigake representative Domoto to a discussion of the Eugenic Protection
    Act movement. JB
1996 (January 7th) 17 groups from different areas gather for an exchange of
    women’s opinions concerning the Eugenic Protection Act. JB
1996 (January 26th) "Let's get rid of the Eugenic Protection Act/Crime of
    Abortion, Let's Change the Maternal and Child Welfare Act" National Liaison
    Group, Socialist Party representatives Shimizu, Kawahashi, and Hori (ex-
    representative) invited to debate. JB
1996 (February 2nd) DPI Women with a Disability Network's Higuchi Keiko's
    "Dataizai teppai koso ga hitsuyoda [Abolition of the crime of abortion is what is
    needed]" is published in the Asahi Shimbun. JB
1996 (February 14th) The Asahi Shimbun publishes a series of articles with opinions
    on the revision of the Eugenic Protection Act from a variety of angles. JB
1996 (February 17th) 2nd Open Forum to Consider Infertility and Reproductive
    Technology
    How [are we] to think about "multifetal pregnancy reduction"?
1996 (February 24th) Nearly 100 participants gather for the "We've had enough! The
    Crime of Abortion and the Eugenic Protection Act: I am the one who decides
    about my own body" symposium (invited organizations: The Association to
    Consider Medical Treatment and Women’s Bodies, Women and Health Network,
    National Disabled Liaison Kant? Block, DPI Women’s Conference, National Green
    Grass Society, Japan Women’s Council, Shoshiren) JB
1996 (March 22nd) Female legislators and NGO members meet with Minister of
    Health and Welfare Kan. They seek follow up on Cairo and Beijing. The
    response is "I understand the discriminatory nature of the Eugenic Protection Act,
    but when it comes to abortion there are various opinions, and it comes a political
    question so it is difficult". They are a bit disappointed in the fact that while
      extensive opinions were expressed regarding other issues, [in regard to there
    concerns] only the usual responses were given. JB
1996 (March 27th) Leprosy Prevention Act Abolition Act passed in the Diet. From April
    1st provisions of the Eugenic Protection Act dealing with leprosy are eliminated.
    JB
1996 (March 28th) Representative Madoka Yoriko (Yamasaki Junko) questions the
    House of Councilors concerning the abolition of crime of abortion and the
    Eugenic Protection Act and the performance of hysterectomies on women
    with disabilities. JB
1996 (April 14th) The Network Questioning Eugenic Thought holds a lecture and
    committee discussion in Osaka: "Let's talk about it now! What is
    self-determination? Do we need the Eugenic Thought Protection Act and
    crime of abortion?-"
    Ogino Miho (women's history scholar)/Hasegawa Yoshio (National Green
    Grass Society)/Tsutsui Junko (National Disabled Liaison Kansai
    Block)/Ogose Kumiko (Women Opposed to the Revision for the Worse of the
    Maternal and Child Protection Act/Osaka Liaison Group)
1996 (April 18th) An article entitled "Towards a review of the Eugenic Protection Act"
    appears in the evening edition of the Yomiuiri Shimbun. JB
1996 (April 27th) Kagoshima University General Public Symposium "Thinking about
    pre-implantation diagnosis"
    Reported in the National Movement for the Liberation of People with Disabilities
    Liaison Conference (National Disabled Liaison)'s Journal Zen sho ren [National
    Disabled Liaison]
139 (May 30th 1996).
1996 (May 21st) Study group surrounding Saito Yukiko: Medical treatment around
    the time of birth and bioethics
1996 (May 26th) 3rd Open Forum to Consider Infertility and Reproductive Technology
    What is "ovulation induction"?
1996 (May 29th) Liberal Democratic Party Society Committee convenes from 8:30 in
    the morning, and a Eugenic Protection Act revision bill is formulated. It
    proposes removing its eugenic thought and changing it into a Maternity
    Protection Act. JB
    Liberal Democratic Party Society Committee puts together a Eugenic
    Protection Act revision bill
    1. The law is renamed the "Maternity Protection Act"
    2. The phrase "to prevent the birth of defective offspring" is deleted.
    3. "Eugenic surgery" is renamed to "sterilization surgery", and limited to cases in
    which the mother's body is put at risk or there are fears that the level of concern
    or consideration for the mother's body will decline significantly.
    4 .Conditions under which abortion is to be permitted are limited to instances in
    which there is a risk of harm to the health of the mother's body for either physical
    or economic reasons, instance in which the pregnancy is the result of threats or
    violence, etc.
    Asahi Shimbun (May 30th)
1996 (May 30th) Ruling Party Health and Welfare Adjustment Council is convened,
    but the Liberal Democratic Party proposal is not submitted. JB
1996 (June 4th) Ruling Party Health and Welfare Adjustment Council meets from
    8:00, and the Liberal Democratic Party proposal is presented to the other two
    parties. The revision proposal is later accepted by the Liberal Democratic
    Party General Affairs Committee. Liberal Democratic Party Society
    Committee Chair Eto explains the Liberal Democratic Party's proposal to the
    Health and Welfare Committees of the Social Democratic Party and Sakigake
    Party. At 17:00 the "Network examining the revision of the 'Eugenic Protection
    Act'", which includes female representatives, gives a press conference on
    "revision from a female perspective". JB
1996 (June 5th) Liberal Democratic Party representatives Moriyama Mayumi, Noono
    Chieko, and Noda Seiko participate in the Network. They exhibit an attitude of
    opposition to the Liberal Democratic Party proposals. JB
1996 (June 6th) An urgent counter-measures meeting organized by Soshiren is held in
    the evening. JB
1996 (June 7th) Beginning at 8:00 AM the Social Democratic Party's Health and
    Welfare Committee's Sub-committee for the Review of Laws concerning
    Health and Welfare Policy and Equality of Both Sexes Committee hold a joint
    meeting to hear citizens opinions. Zenkaren [National Federation of Families
    of the Mentally Ill]'s Takizawa Takehisa, Association of Psychological
    Counselors dealing with Maternal and Child Health's Yamamoto Katsumi,
    DPI's Keiko Higuchi and Maruyama Yuriko, Soshiren's Nagaoki Satoko and Suzuki
    Ryoko (from the perspective of infertility) make statements. With the exception of
    Mr. Takizawa, they objected to the name of Maternal and Child Protection Act.
    The Sakigake study session begins at 9:00 AM. Opinions are heard from medical
    practitioners including Prevention Allinace’s Yonezu Tomoko, Ohashi Yukako,
    Yamamoto Katsumi, Maruyama Yuriko, Komano Yoko, and Kitamura Kunio and DPI's
    Kato Makiko and Higuchi Keiko
    In the afternoon the Social Democratic Party's Shimizu Sumiko and Imai
    Kiyoshi engage in negotiations with the Liberal Democratic Party's Eto. They
    propose changing the name of the law to the "Act concerning Sterilization
    Surgery and Abortion", removing [provisions of the law requiring] spousal consent,
    and the appending of additional provisions regarding reform. Eto brings this to the
    Liberal Democratic Party but it is rejected. JB
1996 (June 10th) At the Social Democratic Party Sub-Committee meeting beginning at
    16:00 it is decided to propose a name change again. At the Ruling Party Health and
    Welfare Adjustment Council meeting beginning at 20:00 the Liberal Democratic
    Party rejects the revision proposal of the Sakigake Party and the Social Democratic
    Party. A "tentative proposal by the Ruling Party Health and Welfare Adjustment
    Comittee and Welfare Project and 3 Welfare Project Chairs" that steps back from
    the Liberal Democratic Party's proposal is submitted. JB
1996 (June 11th) Centered mainly on female representatives, signatures begin to be
    collected for a "Petition concerning the 'revision of the Eugenic Protection
    Act'". JB
1996 (June 12th) With 34 signatures, Liberal Democratic Party representatives
    Moriyama Mayumi and Noda Seiko, Social Democratic Party representatives
    Shimizu Sumiko, Chiba Keiko, and Okazaki Tomiko, and Sakigake Party
    representatives Edano Yukio and Domoto Akiko present a request for the
    name to be changed to Liberal Democratic Party Policy Adjustment Chair
    Yamasaki Taku and hold a press conference afterwards (On the 13th the
    number of signatures increases to 44). JB
1996 (June 13th) At a Ruling Party Policy Adjustment Chair's meeting there is
    agreement to make the name "Maternal Protection Act", add no additional
    provisions, and create a "Project to consider women's health rights etc."
    reporting directly to the Policy Adjustment Committee. JB
1996 (June 14th) At the House of Representatives Health and Welfare Committee
    meeting beginning at 11:30, Committee Chair Wada Shizuo puts forward a
    "Proposal to revise parts of the Eugenic Protection Act". It is approved
    without any discussion. In the main meeting starting at 13:00 it is also
    approved without discussion and amidst applause. JB
1996 (June 17th) House of Representatives Health and Welfare Committee Chair
    Wada Shizuo presents a revision proposal at the meeting of the House of
      Councilors Health and Welfare Committee beginning at 17:00, and it is
    approved without discussion. Social Democratic Party representative Asahi
    proposes a supplementary resolution. This is also approved unanimously.
    Several women tried to attend, but when they reached the committee room
    at 17:10 discussion had already ended. JB
1996 (June 18th) The New Frontier Party gives a declaration and holds a press
       conference.
    Adoption by standing vote at the main meeting of the House of Councilors
    beginning at 13:00. 1 member remains seated so it is not unanimous.
    7 female members walked out. JB
    Establishment of the "Maternal Protection Act".
1996 (June 19th) Prorogation of the Diet. Network Examining the Revision of
    the Eugenic Protection Act and the Soshiren hold a press conference.
    JB
1996 (June 26th) "Law to revise part of the Eugenic Protection Act" is promulgated.
    Goes into effect on September 26, 1996.
1996 (July 10th) The Network Questioning Eugenic Thought [releases a]
    "Declaration and demands concerning the revision of the Eugenic Protection
    Act and the 'Maternal Protection Act'".
1996 (September 8th) 4th Open Forum to Consider Infertility and Reproductive
    Technology
    Is in-vitro fertilization a good thing?
1996 (September 15th) 2nd "Asia Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons" middle
    year/topic specific branch meeting
    "Questioning Eugenic Thought branch meeting - Theme: thinking about
    prenatal diagnosis"
    Lecture: Shirai Yasuko "Prenatal diagnosis: current circumstances and
    problems"
    Organizers: National Movement for the Liberation of People with Disabilities Liaison
    Conference (National Disabled Liaison) / Network Questioning Eugenic Thought
1996 (November 10th) Network Questioning Eugenic Thought
    Lecture Series #1 "Eugenic surgery performed without the patient's
    knowledge"
    Sasaki Chizuko (National Green Grass Society / Hiroshima)
    Location: Osaka Prefecture Dowa District Welfare Center
1996 (December 14th) Network Questioning Eugenic Thought
    Lecture Series #2 "Eugenic surgery performed without the patient's
    knowledge"
    Sasaki Kazuko (Kyoto Association of Parents Raising Children with Down
    Syndrome)
    Location: Osaka Prefecture D?wa District Welfare Center
1997 (January 18th) Bioethics Research Association General Assembly/Symposium
    Theme: The future of the Maternal Protection Act - Has eugenic thought
    been eliminated?
1997 (January 20th) Discussion between the Network Questioning Eugenic Thought
    and the Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology concerning pre-implantation
    diagnosis
1997 (February?) Network Questioning Eugenic Thought [submits] a "Statement of
    objections and demands" to the Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology
1997 (March 7th) DPI Women with Disabilities Network [submits] an "Opinion in
    opposition to the proposal of a fetus provision" to the Japan Association of
    Obstetricians and Gynecologists Protecting Motherhood
1997 (March 30th) "The Japan Society of Human Genetics seeks the legal regulation
    of the abortion of fetuses with a genetic disorder"
    Yomiuri Shimbun
1997 (April 3rd) "SOSHIREN From a woman's (my) body" [submits] an
    "Opinion in opposition to the introduction of a fetus provision" to the Japan
    Society of Human Genetics"
1997 (April 10th) Japan Society of Human Genetics [releases] a "Board of Directors
    statement concerning the revision of the Eugenic Protection Act"
    Yomiuri Shimbun Report
    DPI Women with Disabilities Network and other groups take part in a
    discussion with the Japan Society of Human Genetics
1997 (April 13th) "Abortion because of prenatal diagnosis: current state of no legal
    regulation, multiple debates [to achieve] a breakthrough" Yomiuri Shimbun
1997 (April 19th) Bioethics Research Forum - 7th Research Conference
    Shirai Yasuko "Prenatal diagnosis: current circumstances and problems"
1997 (July 10th) 1st Health and Welfare Science Council Frontier Medical Technology
    Evaluation Meeting
1997 (October 3rd) 2nd Health and Welfare Science Council Frontier Medical
    Technology Evaluation Meeting
1997 (November 27th) 3rd Health and Welfare Science Council Frontier Medical
    Technology Evaluation Meeting
1997 (December 8th) Association Questioning the Management of Women and
    Eugenic Thought/"Ahodori [Albatross]" Association
    "Written [submission of] questions" for the chair of the Japan Society of
    Obstetrics and Gynecology Treatment/Research Ethics Committee
1997 (December 11th) 4th Health and Welfare Science Council Frontier Medical
    Technology Evaluation Meeting
1998 (January 29th) 5th Health and Welfare Science Council Frontier Medical
    Technology Evaluation Meeting
    Attending groups: Japan Society of Human Genetics, Japan Society of
    Clinical Genetics, Japan Federation of Bar Associations
1998 (January 29th) Written opinion of the Japan Federation of Bar Associations
    Submitted on the occassion of the Health and Welfare Science Council
    Frontier Medical Technology Evaluation Meeting "Hearing for opinions concerning
    reproductive medicine"
1998 (February 10th) Tamai Mariko → Japan Federation of Bar Associations
    Questions concerning the opinion submitted by this organization to the
    Health and Welfare Science Council Frontier Medical Technology Evaluation
    Meeting
1998 (February 16th) 6th Health and Welfare Science Council Frontier Medical
    Technology Evaluation Meeting
    Attending organizations: Nationwide Association for Children (Persons) with
    Severe Physical and Intellectual Disabilities, National Federation of Families
    of the Mentally Ill, Japan Muscular Dystrophy Association, Japan Down
    Syndrome Society, Japan People with Muscular Dystrophy Association National
    Green Grass Association
1998 (March 18th) 7th Health and Welfare Science Council Frontier Medical
    Technology Evaluation Meeting
1998 (April 24th) 8th Health and Welfare Science Council Frontier Medical
    Technology Evaluation Meeting
1998 (May 21st) 9th Health and Welfare Science Council Frontier Medical
    Technology Evaluation Meeting
1998 (June 10th) Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology organizes "Second
    public discussion concerning pre-implantation diagnosis"
1998 (June 22nd) 10th Health and Welfare Science Council Frontier Medical
    Technology Evaluation Meeting
1998 (June 27th) Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology decides to accept
    pre-implantation diagnosis of fertilized eggs.
1998 (July 3rd) SOSHIREN From a woman's (my) body
    Text written in opposition to the Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology
    Onna no karadakara [From a woman's body] 157 (July 28th, 1998) p. 3
1998 (July 22nd) "SOSHIREN from a woman's (my) body"
    Written opinion regarding 10th Health and Welfare Science Council Frontier
    Medical Technology Evaluation Meeting
    Onna no karadakara [From a woman’s body] 157 (July 28th, 1998) p. 10
1998 (December 6th) Killing people with disabilities before they are born - Against
    genetic diagnosis of fertilized eggs! Questioning Eugenic Thought Lecture
    Meeting. Lecturer: Ichinokawa Yasutaka
1999 (February 27th) Japan Association of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
    Protecting Motherhood Legal Review Committee
    Report including an opinion concerning the issue of the revision of the
    Maternal Protection Act
    (1) Establish a so-called "fetus provision" that permits the abortion of a
    fetus with an incurable or fatal ailment
    (2) Accept a woman's right to self-determination concerning abortions up to
    the 12th week of pregnancy
    (3) Permit reduction surgery to eliminate one or more fetuses in cases where
    infertility treatment has led to a multiple-fetus pregnancy etc.
    Asahi Shimbun February 28th
1999 (March 23rd) Association of women to create laws concerning sex and the body
    → Japan Association of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Protecting
    Motherhood "Written opinion in opposition to the approach of seeking the
    introduction of a 'fetus provision'"
1999 (March 24th) SOSHIREN From a woman's (my) body → Text in opposition to the
    Japan Association of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Protecting Motherhood's
    approach of seeking the introduction of a "fetus provision"
1999 (November 17th) Public hearing concerning the Maternal Protection Act organized
    by the Japan Association of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Protecting
       Motherhood
    - Issues with a revision of the Maternal Protection Act that considers women's
    rights (including multiple fetus reduction surgery) - 44th Convention of the Japan
    Society of Human Genetics

※ All items concern Japan unless otherwise noted
※ Items with a "☆"are from "Eugenic Protection Act Chronology" found on pp. 30-31
  of Yuseihogoho kaiaku to tatakau tame ni [In order to fight the revision for the
  worse of the Eugenic Protection Act]
, Association of Women Fighting Revision for
  the Worse of the Eugenic Protection Act=Revision for the Worse of the Constitution
  (Ed.), September 28th 1998. (All items from this list except those not directly relevant
  to the topics covered by this chronology are reproduced here)
  In entries marked with a "〇" the entire content of the entry has been reproduced
※ Items marked with JB are from the "Chronology" in Nagaoki Satako, "Josei no
  jikoketteiken ha mitomerarenakatta ー SOSHIREN onna no karada kara [Women's right
  to self determination was not accepted - SOSHIREN From a woman’s body],"
  Joifuru bigin [Joyful begin]
7 (January 20th, 1997) pp. 78-84.
※ Concerning prenatal diagnosis, most of the data cited come from the "Basic
     information you should know" (prepared by Maruyama Yuriko and Kusano Izumi) and
  "Reproductive technology chronology" (prepared by Kusano Izumi) sections at the
  end of Group - Women's Human Rights and Sex, Abunai seishoku kakumei [
    Dangerous reproduction revolution]
, Yuhikaku, 1989.
Tanioku Katsumi 1973 "'Yosuikensa' jisshi no nerai - yuseihogoho 'kaisei' no ito to
  kanrenshite <fukona kodomo wo umanai undo towa> [The aims of 'amniotic fluid
    testing': In relation to the intention behind the "revision" of the Eugenic Protection
  Act <the movement to not give birth to unhappy children> Rinshoshinrigaku
  kenkyu [The Journal of Japanese Clinical Psychology]
11-1:41-57
Group / Women's Human Rights and Sex (Ed.) 1989 Abunai seishoku kakumei
    [Dangerous reproduction revolution]
, Yuhikakusensho 792, 270p. 1700
Mori Taneki 1972 Gendai nihon shoni hokenshi [History of infant care in modern
  Japan]
, Domesu Shuppan
Yagi Mine 1986 Onna kara no tabidachi - atarashii tasha tono kyoseie [Departure
  from woman: toward co-existing with a new other]
, Hihyosha, 247p.
Yamamoto Katsumi 1987 (October 15th) "Boshihoken to wa nanika - hokenjo no
  rekishi wo fumaete [What is maternal and child care?: Looking at the history of
  healthcare centers", The Association of Japanese Clinical Psychology (Ed.)
  [1987:61-118]



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