Ministry refuses to register twins from surrogate birth

February 21, 2004  Japan Today

TOKYO — The Justice Ministry has again decided to reject an application by a Japanese couple to register the births of twin baby boys born to an American surrogate mother, a ministry official said Friday, raising the prospect that the couple will fight it out in court.

Although a local city hall, which received the couple's request, has the final say, the chances are high the application will be turned down. It is the second request by the couple, and the city hall is seeking the ministry's opinion on it. (Kyodo News)