Japanese Women Challenge Restrictive Sterilisation Law in Landmark Lawsuit

Kazane Kajiya and four other Japanese women are challenging the constitutionality of Japan's restrictive 'maternity protection' law, which limits sterilisation to women with multiple children facing health risks and requires spousal consent. Kajiya, who had sterilisation surgery in the U.S. to assert reproductive autonomy, criticizes the law for treating women as instruments for population growth amid Japan's declining birth rates. A verdict in their landmark lawsuit, questioning women's reproductive rights, is expected next week.