Abortion in Japan

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Abortion in Japan has had a varied history. Japanese documents show records of induced abortion from as early as the 12th century. It became much more prevalent during the Edo period, especially among the peasant class, who were hit hardest by the recurrent famines and high taxation of the age.

1842 - The Shogunate in Japan bans induced abortion in Edo. The law does not affect the rest of the country.

1869 Abortion banned country-wide.

In 1948 Japan legalized abortion under special circumstances ^[1] following the notorious Kotobuki maternity hospital Incident was revealed in January 1948. In the incident, Miyuki Ishikawa killed 103 babies, who were almost all deserted children.

[edit] See also

• Abortion
• Abortion law
• Mizuko kuyo

[edit] References

1. ^ 第１４７回国会　国民福祉委員会　第１０号 (Japanese). National Diet Library (2000-03-15). Retrieved on 2008-03-18.

Obayashi, M. (1982). Historical background of the acceptance of induced abortion. Josanpu Zasshi 36(12), 1011-6. Retrieved April 12, 2006.