JAPAN: Registration of child under sex-change father to be reviewed

TOKYO, Jan. 12 (AP) - (Kyodo)

Justice Minister Keiko Chiba showed her willingness Tuesday to review the handling of a municipal government request that a man who had legally changed his sexual status due to sexual identity disorder register his son, who was born by artificial insemination, as an illegitimate child.
"There are points which should be improved," Chiba said. "I'm willing to review them."

The man in Shisho, Hyogo Prefecture, changed his sex under a special law concerning people with sexual identity disorder, and his wife gave birth to the boy in November through artificial insemination using semen from his brother.

The man went to register the boy the following day but was unable to do so and was later told by the municipal office to register the boy as adopted.

Children born through artificial insemination by donor are ordinarily accepted as legitimate because municipal offices do not necessarily have knowledge of the birth process.