The Case of the Mistaken Birth of a Newborn Child] 66-Year-Old Man’s Heartbreaking Cry: “I Want to Know Who I Am” After Learning the Truth When His Mother Was Hospitalized
In his mid-40s, he discovered that he was the victim of a "newborn baby mix-up case" -- "I want to tell my life story to my birth parents.
At least a “wish”.
The trial is still ongoing. Following the change of judges in August of this year, presentations were made based on the opinions from the perspective of international human rights law submitted by experts during this period. Reading the court documents, one gets the sense that there are still many issues, such as compatibility with the right to privacy, that need to be addressed before the right to know the status of one’s birth can be enshrined in legislation in Japan.
Takae Ito, 49, a member of the House of Councillors and secretary general of the Diet Members Caucus for Assisted Reproductive Technology, explains, “The question is where and to what extent information is required.
The question is how much information should be disclosed. In fact, there are not many countries that disclose all information on births, even in other countries. We are discussing how to secure data stocks and routes for information that children want to know, and how to disclose the information step by step.”
Mr. Ezura also understands the difficulty of developing legislation. He then added a few words of emphasis.
There are people who say they would be happier if they did not know about their origins. However, the people I have met so far, including myself, are different. I think it is necessary to help children who have been mistaken for their parents. I think the real parents are already over 90 years old. We don’t even know if they are alive. I respect the wishes of the other family member and do not intend to have any further relationship with them if they do not want to.
I want to tell my birth parents what kind of life I have led. And I want to know how my parents’ lives were too. That is purely what I want. I just want to know who I am–“
The Tokyo Metropolitan Government is seeking dismissal and dismissal of the claim. Will Ezo’s heartrending cries be heard?
From the October 18-25, 2024 issue of FRIDAY
Interview and text by： Fumiaki Kurioka (Reporter for this magazine) PHOTO： Takayuki Ogawauchi (1st photo) , courtesy of Ezo (others)
