A Tokyo court has ruled against women's right to voluntary sterilization. Under Japanese law, sterilization surgery for women is allowed only when specific health risks are present.
A Tokyo district court has ruled that women do not have the right to voluntary sterilization. Japanese law permits sterilization surgery for women only in cases involving specific health risks. The Japan Times reports this decision touches on issues of family planning, human rights, women's issues, and the Constitution. Published on March 17, 2026, the ruling upholds the existing legal framework in Japanese courts.