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.
NewsNews
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Webinar event “Meeting a sperm donor from New Zealand and the woman born from his donation.” on Mar. 13th, 2024
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IICO symposium “How the internet, digilization and DNA changes the field of counseling” will take place on 6th July 2024
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Psychological social welfare support training course held online on 5/23, 6/12, 7/19 and 7/20/2023
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
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Representative Director and Co-founder
Yukari Semba 仙波 由加里
Representative Director and Co-founderYukari Semba 仙波 由加里
Ph.D. (Human Sciences) / In charge of administration and fundrasing
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Director and Co-founder
Naoaki Kuji 久慈 直昭
Director and Co-founderNaoaki Kuji 久慈 直昭
Medical Doctor (obstetrician and gynecologist) / In charge of DNA marker link test determination
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Director and Co-founder
Sachiko ishizuka 石塚 幸子
Director and Co-founderSachiko ishizuka 石塚 幸子
DI-conceived Person / Public Relations / Secretariat
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Auditor-secretary
Tetsuo Semba 仙波 哲夫
Auditor-secretaryTetsuo Semba 仙波 哲夫
Ph.D. / Web site and Registrant Data Management (founding member)
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Co-founder
Mari Saimura 才村 眞理
Co-founderMari Saimura 才村 眞理
Social Worker / Social Work Officer
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Kazuko Mori 森 和子
Kazuko Mori 森 和子
Ph.D. (Psychology), Clinical Developmental Psychologist / Social Work
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Azumi Tsuge 柘植 あづみ
Azumi Tsuge 柘植 あづみ
Ph.D. / In charge of policy proposals and social enlightenment
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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
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Kikuyo Aoki 青木 紀久代
Kikuyo Aoki 青木 紀久代
Ph.D. (Psychology), Clinical Psychologist, Certified Psychologist / Psychological Counseling
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Yui Hideki 由井 秀樹
Yui Hideki 由井 秀樹
Ph.D. / In charge of researching donor link related issues
Legal Advisor
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Legal Advisor
Ryo Takahashi 高橋 良
Legal AdvisorRyo Takahashi 高橋 良
Attorney-at-law / Ryo Takahashi Legal Office
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Legal Advisor
Ko Hirahara 平原 興
Legal AdvisorKo Hirahara 平原 興
Attorney-at-law / Kencho-dori Legal Office