Donor Link Japan

Donor Link Japan aims to connect donor-conceived individuals with those who donated their gametes in the past as well as with others born from the same donor. We hope to create a space for donors and donor-conceived individuals who wish to connect with those in similar situations. Donor-conceived people born through donations from medical institutions and gametocyte banks in Japan or abroad, or from people who parents met through social network services or from acquaintances, and those who have donated to medical institutions and gametocyte banks in Japan or abroad can register as members of Donor Link Japan. We will provide helpful information to both those who were born through donations and to donors. We also welcome those who agree with our goals to become our members.
Our primary goal is to raise awareness within Japanese society about the rights of donor offspring to access their genetic information, including the right to know their genetic origins. We also strive to address and resolve issues related to donor conception.

What is a Right to Know One's Origin?

The right to know one's origin is essential for donor-conceived individuals, it is the right to know how they were conceived and obtain their crucial information about their genetic background. In Japan, donor insemination (DI) has been conducted discreetly for over 70 years, with donors remaining anonymous. However, recently, donor-conceived individuals have come to learn the circumstances of their conception and voice their desire to learn about their donors.

Overseas

Internationally, the right to know the biological origin of a donor-conceived individual has come to be regarded as a significant human right. In 1989 the United Nations adopted the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which came into force in 1990. Article 7 of the Convention states that "…Children also have the right to know their parents and, as far as possible, to be cared for by them." Japan ratified this Convention in 1994.
Since around 1990, donor-conceived individuals overseas have been actively seeking information about their donors. In response to their appeals, some jurisdictions have taken steps to guarantee the right to know one's origin for donor-conceived individuals by law.

In Japan

In Japan, there are ongoing discussions within the government and among politicians about the establishment of a law concerning the right for donor-conceived individuals to know biological origins. At Donor Link Japan, we firmly believe that the right to know is important for donor-conceived individuals and we advocate that they should be able to access any time and any information on donors if they desire.

Board Members

  • Representative Director and Co-founder

    Yukari Semba 仙波 由加里

    Representative Director and Co-founder

    Yukari Semba 仙波 由加里

    Ph.D. (Human Sciences) / In charge of administration and fundrasing

  • Director and Co-founder

    Naoaki Kuji 久慈 直昭

    Director and Co-founder

    Naoaki Kuji 久慈 直昭

    Medical Doctor (obstetrician and gynecologist) / In charge of DNA marker link test determination

  • Director and Co-founder

    Sachiko ishizuka 石塚 幸子

    Director and Co-founder

    Sachiko ishizuka 石塚 幸子

    DI-conceived Person / Public Relations / Secretariat

  • Auditor-secretary

    Tetsuo Semba 仙波 哲夫

    Auditor-secretary

    Tetsuo Semba 仙波 哲夫

    Ph.D. / Web site and Registrant Data Management (founding member)

  • Co-founder

    Mari Saimura 才村 眞理

    Co-founder

    Mari Saimura 才村 眞理

    Social Worker / Social Work Officer

  • Kazuko Mori 森 和子

    Kazuko Mori 森 和子

    Ph.D. (Psychology), Clinical Developmental Psychologist / Social Work

  • Azumi Tsuge 柘植 あづみ

    Azumi Tsuge 柘植 あづみ

    Ph.D. / In charge of policy proposals and social enlightenment

  • Hiroki Kurahashi 倉橋 浩樹

    Hiroki Kurahashi 倉橋 浩樹

    Medical Doctor (pediatrician/clinical geneticist) / In charge of DNA marker link test determination

  • Kikuyo Aoki 青木 紀久代

    Kikuyo Aoki 青木 紀久代

    Ph.D. (Psychology), Clinical Psychologist, Certified Psychologist / Psychological Counseling

  • Yui Hideki 由井 秀樹

    Yui Hideki 由井 秀樹

    Ph.D. / In charge of researching donor link related issues

Legal Advisor

  • Legal Advisor

    Ryo Takahashi 高橋 良

    Legal Advisor

    Ryo Takahashi 高橋 良

    Attorney-at-law / Ryo Takahashi Legal Office

  • Legal Advisor

    Ko Hirahara 平原 興

    Legal Advisor

    Ko Hirahara 平原 興

    Attorney-at-law / Kencho-dori Legal Office