Ahead of the March 17 judgment at the Tokyo District Court in the “Maternity Is Not My Body’s Purpose” lawsuit, three organizations—LEDGE, the #Nandenaino Project, and T-Net—will host a pre-judgment support event titled: “Maternity Is Not My Body’s Purpose — Changing the Future of SRHR Through Legal Action” on Friday, March 13, from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM.
Pre-Judgment Event “Maternity Is Not My Body’s Purpose — Changing the Future of SRHR Through Legal Action”
In this courtroom, we have continued to ask:
Who does my body belong to?
Who decides my life?
On March 17, the Tokyo District Court will render its judgment in the “Maternity Is Not My Body’s Purpose” lawsuit. In this case, five plaintiffs who seek sterilization in order to live authentically have challenged the Japanese government over legal provisions that restrict their ability to make that choice.
But this is not only an issue affecting a small number of individuals seeking sterilization.
From limited contraceptive options, to spousal consent requirements for abortion, to legal conditions for gender recognition, the reality that the state determines rules governing sexuality and life choices affects us all.
At the same time, through legal action, those rules and structures have the potential to change.
At this event, we will gather with plaintiffs, members of the legal team, SRHR activist Kazuko Fukuda, ethicist Yutori Takai, and advocates working for SRHR across Japan. Together, we will reflect on what we can do now to build a society in which everyone can say, “My body is mine.”
◼️Event Details
- Date & Time: Friday, March 13, 7:00 PM–8:30 PM (Doors open at 6:30 PM)
- Venue: SHIBAURA HOUSE 1F (Google Map)
- Admission: Free (Priority given to those who register in advance; walk-ins welcome)
- Registration: Please register via Google Form
- Organizers: LEDGE, #Nandenaino Project, T-Net
*If capacity is reached, priority seating will be given to those who have registered.
*If you require captioning, sign language interpretation, assistance with seating, or other accessibility accommodations, please inform us through the registration form (ideally at least two weeks prior to the event). We will make every effort to accommodate your request.
*If you require captioning, sign language interpretation, assistance with seating, or other accessibility accommodations, please inform us through the registration form (ideally at least two weeks prior to the event). We will make every effort to accommodate your request.
◼️Program (Tentative)
- 19:00–19:20 Introduction to the “Maternity Is Not My Body’s Purpose” Lawsuit
- 19:20–20:00 Talk Session: “What Can We Do Now for the Future of SRHR?”
- 20:00–20:15 Q&A
- 20:15–20:30 Messages of Support Relay
◼️Talk Session Speakers
- Kazane Kajiya (Plaintiff, “Maternity Is Not My Body’s Purpose” Lawsuit)
- Michiko Kameishi (Lead Counsel, “Maternity Is Not My Body’s Purpose” Lawsuit; Representative of LEDGE)
- Kazuko Fukuda (SRHR Activist; Representative of the #Nandenaino Project)
- Yutori Takai (Ethicist; Advisor to T-Net)
◼️Support Message Speakers (Scheduled)
- Yukako Ohashi (Member, SOSHIREN Watashi no Karadakara)
- Kanata Kimoto (Co-Representative, T-Net)
- Hiromi Kusano (Senior Advocacy Officer, JOICFP)
- Masako Tanaka (Professor, Sophia University)
- Akiko Matsuo (Founder, Etcetera Books; Organizer of the “Watashi no Karada” Demo)
We warmly welcome your participation.
About the “Maternity Is Not My Body’s Purpose” Lawsuit
For women who experience discomfort with their reproductive capacity or who have made a definitive choice not to have children, sterilization represents an essential means of living life on their own terms.
However, the Maternal Protection Act prohibits sterilization for non-medical purposes and requires that a person has already given birth, as well as obtaining spousal consent.
We argue that these provisions infringe upon the constitutional right to reproductive self-determination. Through this lawsuit, we seek to revise the current legal framework and affirm that decisions about one’s body belong to the individual alone.
