For women who feel discomfort over their reproductive capacity or those who have made a definite choice not to have children, sterilization represents an indispensable means to live life on their own terms. In spite of this reality, the Maternal Health Act (aka the “Mother’s Body Protection Law”) prohibits sterilization for non-medical purposes and requires, inter alia, already having several children, as well as spousal (or partner) authorization. Furthermore, sterilization without fulfilling these requirements is punishable by imprisonment for up to one year or a fine of up to 500,000 yen. We claim that these provisions infringe on the right to reproductive self-determination and violate the Constitution, and seek revision of the current legislative framework.