The Idea of the Maternal Protection Act and Its Application: From the standpoint of Japan Association of Obstetricians & Gynecologists.

Enacted in 1948 in Japan, the Eugenic Protection Act originates from the national eugenic law (also called the sterilization law) and had con­ siderable eugenic ideology. Article 1 of this Act states its purpose that “from the eugenic point of view, it aims to prevent the birth of inferior off­ spring as well as to protect maternal life and health.” The association of maternal welfare was established in each prefecture, and in April of 1949, Japan Association for Maternal Welfare,*2 a professional organization composed of desig­ nated physicians under the Eugenic Protection Act, was born.