On April 5, 2002, six midwives filed a lawsuit with the Tokyo District Court demanding confirmation of the invalidity of a resolution adopted by the Japanese Midwives·Association.
The Association, constituted by midwives throughout the country is a non-profit entity which aims to enhance mutual cooperation among its members and to improve the status of the profession. The resolution in question was passed in March 2000 by the executive members of the Association. It supported the relaxing of midwife qualifications to allow males to become midwives. The resolution was passed under the procedure which did not comply with the Association? articles of incorporation. Based on this resolution, the Association? executive members submitted a request to the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) to ?ake males eligible to become midwives·and to ?hange the name of the profession from the feminine ?osanpu·to the neutral ?osanshi·? The efforts to introduce male midwives failed due to strong oppositions, but the revision of the name was effected in March 2002.
Under these circumstances, the court presented a proposal of settlement in October 2002, which was fully in line with the plaintiffs·arguments. The court urged the Association to re-elect representatives, convene a general meeting, and re-submit the subject of the present lawsuit at the meeting. The Association emphasizes the promotion of gender equality as the reason for introducing male midwives. However, the plaintiffs believe that the introduction of male midwives may lead to interference with women? health and rights.
Editor? Note: Following the commencement of the lawsuit, the Association confirmed that the Association will hold thorough discussions among its members and determine its conclusion 2 years later. The parties to the lawsuit reached a settlement in January 2004, where the defendant confirmed that the Association will be managed in accordance with this new resolution. class = "note" In 2003, JCLU took up this issue in its report for Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women. There are precise background of this issue in ?niversal Principle No.10.