Around 20 followers of the Jehovah's Witnesses religious group have filed a lawsuit against the Japanese government, seeking to confirm the invalidation of its guidelines on the abuse of children born to parents devoted to a particular religion.

The plaintiffs, who filed the lawsuit with Tokyo District Court, claim that the guidelines violate religious freedom and are unconstitutional, also demanding compensation of ¥2 million per person from the state. The lawsuit is believed to be the first to challenge the constitutionality of the government guidelines.

In December 2022, the welfare ministry issued the guidelines to local governments across the country calling for child consultation centers to take temporary custody of a child if there are acts that constitute child abuse, even if religious beliefs are involved.

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