New families sought for children with disabilities via adoption

While working as a church pastor, Migiwa founder Hiroki Matsubara, 55, set up a consultation center for women dealing with unwanted pregnancies. The first case involved a woman whose prenatal diagnosis revealed a fetal defect.

Discovering her child would be disabled, she said she would "kill the baby" if she gave birth to it. Her shocking words revealed to Matsubara the depths of her anguish, compelling him to start counseling sessions for women pregnant with disabled babies

When Christians are mercilessly mocked as "bible bashers" and Christianity derided as "regressive" and constantly under attack, remember people like Matsubara and remind yourself that you will not find a higher level of kindness or ethics than in a true practicing Christian.

Whether a believer or not, I hope we can all appreciate the values that true Christianity - not the organizations tarred by the despicable sexual crimes of a small percentage of the papal elite or the disingenuous money-grabbing activities of the Mega Churches - true Christianity, has provided humanity: the blueprint for ascension.

Thank you Matsubara for the amazing work that you do in saving these special lives.

*Each year in Japan there are over 200,000 abortions.*

*Although the health ministry has offered a lower estimate of roughly 122,000 abortions occurring in fiscal 2022, organizations such as NPO Florence say that one newborn baby dies every two weeks in Japan due to …*

From 200,000+ to 122,000+26. These numbers differ greatly!

Each year in Japan there are over 200,000 abortions. Every two weeks, a newborn infant dies of abandonment. And each year, more than 50 children lose their lives to physical abuse at the hands of their parents.

Some pretty disturbing statistics there.

The Japan Network for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect also reports more than 50 deaths due to abuse occurring each year, meaning one child loses his or her life every week.

And how many of the people responsible are in jail or have been executed for causing these needless deaths?

“The woman's book, which she later gave to Matsubara's wife Naoko, is filled with messages of excitement and anticipation such as, "I look forward to the day I get to meet you!" -- up until the day it was revealed her child had a disability in a prenatal checkup. From the 28th week onward, the book is left blank.”

This is a really painful situation to be in. If a potential parent can’t handle the unexpected difficult situation, they should test for the disabilities of baby at early stage of pregnancy within 3 months.

A screening test for Down's syndrome, Edwards' syndrome and Patau's syndrome is available between weeks 10 and 14 of pregnancy. It's called the combined test because it combines an ultrasound scan with a blood test.

There are hidden pockets of genuine kindness in this tumultous world.

Adoption in Japan is a joke and they make it impossible for couples to be approved and most kids end up languishing in orphanages until they’re 18. You basically have two options. Go through private church run adoption agencies that ask for millions of yen in “donations” before they will even start talking to you with no guarantee you will ever be allowed to adopt. Or go through the government run public adoption which is free of charge.

My ex and I tried for years with the public agency. Went to all the classes, got certified, did everything. You have a better chance of adopting through a third country and bringing the child to Japan than adopting a Japanese child. Sad fact and 14 adoptions in 6 years are not good numbers.

Based on the declining quality of life and percentage of married couples, 200,000 sounds like a low number. It should probably increase if Japan wants to relieve the strain on social welfare programs. Regardless of whether people or for or against abortion, it does solve problems.

> JayToday  07:20 am JST

While working as a church pastor, Migiwa founder Hiroki Matsubara, 55, set up a consultation center for women dealing with unwanted pregnancies. The first case involved a woman whose prenatal diagnosis revealed a fetal defect.

Discovering her child would be disabled, she said she would "kill the baby" if she gave birth to it. Her shocking words revealed to Matsubara the depths of her anguish, compelling him to start counseling sessions for women pregnant with disabled babies

When Christians are mercilessly mocked as "bible bashers" and Christianity derided as "regressive" and constantly under attack, remember people like Matsubara and remind yourself that you will not find a higher level of kindness or ethics than in a true practicing Christian.

Whether a believer or not, I hope we can all appreciate the values that true Christianity - not the organizations tarred by the despicable sexual crimes of a small percentage of the papal elite or the disingenuous money-grabbing activities of the Mega Churches - true Christianity, has provided humanity: the blueprint for ascension.

Thank you Matsubara for the amazing work that you do in saving these special lives.

I think rather than Christianity or any other religion, it's humanity itself that is kind by nature.

So I say, thank you, Matsubara, for representing the better side of humanity.

Coulda beenToday  08:38 am JST

There are hidden pockets of genuine kindness in this tumultous world.

Really? I'm not currently in Japan but I see only kindness and very rarely unkindness where I live. Is it a case of half class full vs half glass empty?

I know several families with or who had severely disabled children. They are in their homes receiving love and care 24/7. It's a hard position for the parents with such constant demands. But none that I know would ever dream of abandoning their children. Many die young leaving a gap in the hearts of the parents.

Iceland has eradicated Downs syndrome through testing. Surely this is the way to go?

Iceland has eradicated Downs syndrome through testing. Surely this is the way to go?

They do testing for downs in Japan... so it's not clear what you mean. What is not currently happening that you feel should be?

Mr KiplingToday  09:43 am JST

Iceland has eradicated Downs syndrome through testing. Surely this is the way to go?

Here's the thing in Japan. According to a Neonatologist I knew from Europe working in Japan all life must be preserved no matter what. Even if the child is severely disabled before or after birth, it must be preserved at all costs. This is the law in Japan. So you end up with an unusually high number of severely disabled children in Japan.

So, our baby who was born with a hole in her heart and Trisomy 18 in NZ was taken off life support to die naturally in our arms. This does not happen in Japan, as far as I can tell.

So, our baby who was born with a hole in her heart and Trisomy 18 in NZ was taken off life support to die naturally in our arms. This does not happen in Japan, as far as I can tell.

I know two families in Japan, who got pregnant with children who tested positive for severe disabilities. They were given the option of abortion.

> StrangerlandToday  09:53 am JST

So, our baby who was born with a hole in her heart and Trisomy 18 in NZ was taken off life support to die naturally in our arms. This does not happen in Japan, as far as I can tell.

I know two families in Japan, who got pregnant with children who tested positive for severe disabilities. They were given the option of abortion.

Thanks for that big guy.

Thanks for that big guy.

My pleasure!

StrangerlandToday  09:53 am JST*

So, our baby who was born with a hole in her heart and Trisomy 18 in NZ was taken off life support to die naturally in our arms. This does not happen in Japan, as far as I can tell.

I know two families in Japan, who got pregnant with children who tested positive for severe disabilities. They were given the option of abortion.

Our child had been alive for 7 weeks before she passed.

I think it's after birth that disabled babies must be preserved at all costs, not before birth.

I think rather than Christianity or any other religion, it's humanity itself that is kind by nature.

Firstly Mark, very sorry for your loss.

Secondly, and respectfully, I think it's quite easy to be raised in a country like New Zealand, a nation founded on Christian values, and hold the belief that kindness is an intrinsic human virtue.

Kind acts undoubtedly existed before the establishment of many of the world religions, but wasn't espoused as a virtue to the extent as it has been in Christianity in particular.

I mean, praying for your enemies? LOL, who does that?!

Christians do. Even those without a spiritual bone in their body would have to admit, that's pretty dang cool.

Every child deserves love, respect, and tender care. The Migiwa mission is a thoughtful initiative.

There are 9.63 million disabled Japanese people. That's about 7.6 percent of the total population, or about one in every 13 people.

Physically, mentally, and mentally challenged is the small group.

Only 19% of working-age people with disabilities are employed.

> JayToday  01:13 pm JST

I think rather than Christianity or any other religion, it's humanity itself that is kind by nature.

Firstly Mark, very sorry for your loss.

Secondly, and respectfully, I think it's quite easy to be raised in a country like New Zealand, a nation founded on Christian values, and hold the belief that kindness is an intrinsic human virtue.

Kind acts undoubtedly existed before the establishment of many of the world religions, but wasn't espoused as a virtue to the extent as it has been in Christianity in particular.

I mean, praying for your enemies? LOL, who does that?!

Christians do. Even those without a spiritual bone in their body would have to admit, that's pretty dang cool.

Thanks Jay.

Let's agree to disagree on this one.

All religions, including Buddhism, which was around 3,000 years before Christianity, espoused kindness as a virtue for one's enemies. Kindness as a virtue is a unique human trait though and no religion can state it invented it or espoused it any ore than nay other religion.

Humans are pretty dang cool, yes.

Mr Kipling

Iceland has eradicated Downs syndrome through testing. Surely this is the way to go?

Pop of Iceland. 372,520 (2021)

There is no morality in Buddhism.

"Buddhism is also not about moral absolutism. It is as Karma Lekshe Tsomo, a Tibetan Buddhist and teacher says, “There are no moral absolutes in Buddhism, and it is recognized that ethical decision-making involves a complex nexus of causes and conditions."

wallaceToday 03:58 pm JST

There is no morality in Buddhism.

Buddhists adhere to the eightfold path, though, which you could argue is just as strict as the ten commandments.

Buddhists adhere to the eightfold path, though, which you could argue is just as strict as the ten commandments.

The Eight-Fold Path is not about morality.

Right Understanding.

Right Thought.

Righ Speech.

Right Action.

Right Livlihood.

Right Effort.

Right Mindfulness.

What is not currently happening that you feel should be?

Instead of giving birth to severely disabled children then abandoning them... Terminating the pregnancy?

Instead of giving birth to severely disabled children then abandoning them... Terminating the pregnancy?

That is one of the biggest moral questions ever asked. Unfortunately it dips its toes in N@zi ideology. If it weren't so darn morbid and dangerous it would make a fantastic study Drawing on religions would make a good start

Religions teach compassion, Showing compassion to others is something all people can do. Buddhist moral teaching calls it karuṇā. Here we could ponder Mr Kiplings question for the institutions and governments. Right action from the 8 fold path could be applied to the individuals

There are no absolutes in Buddhism but there is morality.

Instead of giving birth to severely disabled children then abandoning them... Terminating the pregnancy?

That is one of the biggest moral questions ever asked. Unfortunately it dips its toes in N@zi ideology. If it weren't so darn morbid and dangerous it would make a fantastic study Drawing on religions would make a good start

Well, that's the normal practice today, though, Mr Presley.

But you knew that tough, right?

Every mother/woman should have the right to a termination regardless of the state of the fetus. In many countries, women do not have that right, and like in the US are loosening them in many states.

The decision to terminate a pregnancy should be made by the woman and her doctors.

Having an abortion in Japan is not a straightforward procedure. It is also expensive.

No woman should be forced to have a termination because she carries a disabled or damaged fetus.

Every mother/woman should have the right to a termination regardless of the state of the fetus

Sure, as long as they (and you) are aware of and comfortable with the fact they are killing a baby.

Jay

Every mother/woman should have the right to a termination regardless of the state of the fetus

> Sure, as long as they (and you) are aware of and comfortable with the fact they are killing a baby.

A fetus only becomes a baby at birth. Abortions are legal in Japan.

Turns out most in US, some +70% support some limits on abortion. Number often used is 15 weeks, with medical exceptions for life of mother etc.

Seems many believe unborn children have rights and do not want those rights easily trampled by irresponsible people or funded by Federal Govt. That was the rational for SCOTUS Hobbes decision, letting the VOTERS at the state level define their abortion restrictions if any.

Do we believe in Democracy and the will of the people?

Vast majority of abortion under any circumstance views, held by people WITH NO CHILDREN. Not surprising!!!

A fetus only becomes a baby at birth.

By whose metric? I wonder if this "just a clump of cells" rhetoric used by pro-abortionists to justify their arguments would be just as concrete if they realized that a heartbeat can typically be detected at three weeks. Observing an ultrasound should be mandatory for anyone holding those views.

Abortions are legal in Japan.

Incorrect. Under Chapter XXIX of the Penal Code, abortions are illegal in Japan, and only medically permissible under the provable circumstances of the endangerment to the health of the pregnant woman, severe economic hardship, or rape.

Do you know how many children linger in orphanages for years and years. There are so many people who wish to adopt these at many times unwanted children, however, the Japanese Government won't permit because the potential parents are over 40, or the koseki rules and the list of reasons go on. The over 40 rule should be thrown out the door since the government is encouraging this same age group to have babies, the koseki rule should also be thrown out the door if parents have abandoned their children.

That is one of the biggest moral questions ever asked. Unfortunately it dips its toes in N@zi ideology.

Yes it is a moral question and this story is about trying to find care for the abandoned babies that the mothers do not want to care for. Which is better? Is there a correct answer? I don't think so.

As I said earlier, Iceland has no Down's syndrome babies. That is Iceland, the UN's poster child for gender equality. Hardly a N@zi state. Women test and abort if the baby has the syndrome. They are not forced by the state, they choose to do this.

Jay

A fetus only becomes a baby at birth.

> By whose metric?

Medical science.

Abortion in Japan is allowed under a term limit of 22 weeks for endangerment to the health of the pregnant woman, economic hardship, or rape.