title: Japan turns pro-life: recent change in reproductive health policy and challenges by new technologies.
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".
authors.affiliation: National Institute of Public Health, Department of Health & Welfare Service Research Wako-shi, Saitama, Japan.
authors.forename: Etsuji
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Okamoto
keywords: Abortions; Genetic Counseling; Prenatal Screening; Pro-Choice; Pro-Life