On July 27, the first egg bank in Japan said at a press conference that it has successfully fertilized eggs from two donors. Once the bank confirms the eggs aren’t infected, they can be implanted as soon as this year. This will be the first anonymous third party reproduction case in Japan.

Liberty Times reports that Japan has kept a conservative attitude regarding artificial reproduction. Though there aren’t any laws prohibiting third party reproduction, neither is there a complete regulation related to the issue. Many Japanese women who are barren because of early menopause or ovarian lesions can only turn to sisters, friends or overseas donors.

Taiwan has also made improvements in reproductive technology in recent years, but many females are denied their wishes of having children due to controversies surrounding surrogates and the many requirements of becoming an egg donor or recipient.

China Times reports, the current Artificial Reproduction Act states artificial reproduction can only be carried out by married couples and one of them must be diagnosed with infertility or serious genetic diseases. The law doesn’t apply to surrogates, homosexuals, cohabiting couples or single parents.

Translated by Olivia Yang

Sources:
Liberty Times
China Times