The new scheme reaches beyond the lawsuits
The Cabinet Office’s 2025 white paper explains that compensation is available to eligible people who did not bring a lawsuit. It lists JPY 15 million for individuals subjected to eugenic surgery and JPY 5 million for qualifying spouses. Other lump-sum categories are also provided under the law. Parliament passed the legislation unanimously on 8 October 2024, and it was promulgated on 17 October. The January commencement therefore opened an administrative route beyond the court cases that helped establish the state’s responsibility. [2][1]
Reaching victims became an immediate task
DPI Japan, a disability-rights organisation, called on national and prefectural authorities to identify and reach affected people through publicity, local information channels and consultation desks. It also said disability organisations and independent-living centres should respond carefully to enquiries and connect people with the relevant public services. Its commentary emphasised examining available records while protecting personal information. This focus recognises a practical problem with compensation schemes: the existence of a legal entitlement does not ensure that an eligible person knows about it or can complete an application. [3]
Information and application support are part of access
The Children and Families Agency’s dedicated website provides explanatory materials in several formats, including a simpler version, Braille files and videos with sign language and captions. It also describes free support from lawyers for people who want help with a claim. These are concrete parts of the access arrangements, rather than evidence that everyone affected has received compensation. The Cabinet Office records that Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba met plaintiffs on the commencement date and said the government would work to deliver the new compensation to victims. [1][2]
Advocates also want the history examined
DPI Japan argued that compensation needed to be accompanied by examination of why the former law persisted and how eugenic thinking influenced disability policy. The new legislation provides for investigation and consideration of measures to prevent recurrence, according to the Cabinet Office. This connects individual redress with public responsibility for discrimination. Payment cannot restore the choices taken from victims, but the law recognises responsibility and provides a route to compensation. The organisation’s call for scrutiny also keeps the experiences and rights of affected people within the discussion of future disability policy. [3][2]