Japanese lawmakers introduce bill to disclose the origins of donor-conceived children

Japanese lawmakers have proposed a bill to regulate assisted reproductive technology and grant donor-conceived children access to their biological origins.

On 6 February 2025, Japanese lawmakers introduced the bill to the House of Councillors to regulate assisted reproductive technology that uses donated sperm and eggs.

According to a local news outlet, the bill is sponsored by the ruling Liberal Democratic Party and its Komeito ally.

Access to biological origins information

This law would let children born using this technology access specific information about their biological origins.

These individuals would be entitled to learn the height, blood type, and age of the sperm or egg donors after they reach adulthood.

The bill also proposes that all personal data, including the names and ‘My Number’ identification codes of the children, their parents, and the donors, be stored by the National Center for Child Health and Development for 100 years.

This data would be shared by the medical institutions involved in assisted reproductive technology.

Interestingly, the bill also states that donor information, including height and blood type, can be disclosed without the donor’s consent. But, some specific details like the donor’s name, can only be shared posthumously with prior consent.

However, only couples affected by infertility would be allowed to use the technology, effectively excluding those in de facto marriages or same-sex partnerships.

Furthermore, the legislation bans surrogacy, where a fertilized egg is implanted into another woman’s uterus.

Only government-certified medical institutions would be allowed to supply and manage donated sperm and eggs. Violation of these provisions could attract up to two years in prison or a fine of ¥3 million ($19,670).

Building on previous legislation

The bill builds on a 2020 law that explains the legal relationship between parents and children born through assisted reproductive technology.

However, that bill ignored important aspects, such as children’s right to know their origins, which will be addressed by legislators through the new bill.

Thus, the bill aims to bring clarity and transparency to assisted reproductive technology practices in Japan.