Japan is currently grappling with a significant debate over a new bill that aims to provide individuals conceived through artificial insemination by donor (AID) with the right to access information about their genetic origins. This legislation, introduced to the Upper House of Parliament in February 2025, marks the first attempt to address donor information in over 70 years since Japan’s first AID procedure in 1948.
Right to Know Genetic Origins
Under the bill, individuals conceived through AID would have the right to access key donor details, such as their height, blood type, and age, once they turn 18. However, more sensitive information, such as the donor’s identity, would only be disclosed with the donor’s consent. The bill also requires the National Center for Child Health and Development (NCCHD) to store these records for up to 100 years.
While the bill has generated significant interest and debate, it has faced criticism from some donor-conceived individuals. One notable critic is Sachiko Ishizuka, who was born via AID at the age of 23 and only learned about her donor father later in life. She argues that individuals have an inherent right to know their genetic origins and that withholding such information causes more harm than good.
During her testimony Ishizuka said,
“The right to know one’s genetic origins belongs to the child. So, the children should get as much information as they want when they want it.”
Balancing Privacy and Transparency
While donor-conceived individuals emphasize transparency, there are concerns about the potential consequences for future donors. Many donors have already withdrawn from donation programs due to fears of legal ramifications and unwanted exposure. Keio University Hospital, once a leading institution for AID procedures, had to stop accepting new patients in 2018 due to a lack of available donors. With legal complications and fears about privacy, potential donors are wary of contributing.
In response, the bill seeks to strike a balance between privacy and transparency. Lawmakers suggest that the bill allows donors to voluntarily share information without compromising their anonymity. Kozo Akino, a lawmaker from the Komeito Party, expressed that the legislation “balances the need to secure donors and protect children’s rights.”
International Comparisons and Support
Countries like the United Kingdom, France, and Austria already have laws that grant donor-conceived children access to donor information. For instance, in Austria, donor-conceived children as young as 14 can access the names and dates of birth of their biological parents. These international models have influenced the current debates in Japan, and many believe that Japan should adopt similar transparency standards.
Ongoing Debate and Future Challenges
However, the debate doesn’t end there. The bill has also been criticized for excluding unmarried and same-sex couples from receiving AID treatments using donor sperm. Lawmaker Akino responded that this exclusion is based on legal complications regarding the donor’s parental rights, but critics argue that this limits access for many potential families.
As Japan continues to navigate this sensitive issue, the debate surrounding the rights of donor-conceived children and privacy concerns for donors will remain pivotal. Will the bill strike the right balance, or will it fail to fully address the needs of all involved parties? Only time will tell, but the discussion has already sparked an important conversation about the future of reproductive technologies in Japan.