Japan Turns Pro-Life: Recent Change in Reproductive Health Policy and Controversies over Prenatal Screening

Document Type : Perspective

Author

National Institute of Public Health, Department of Health & Welfare Service Research Wako-shi, Saitama, Japan

Abstract

Japan, known as a pro-choice country in terms of abortion, is currently facing the increase of “selective abortions” thanks to new prenatal screening. Efforts to restrict proliferation of new technology has not been successful and it is likely that Japan will turn pro-life by strictly enforcing the Maternity Protection Act (MPA), which prohibits abortions due to “fetal cause”.

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