Japanese trans man told that son is illegitimate
A trans man in Japan who had a child with his wife has been informed by officials that the child is now classed as illegitimate.
The unnamed 27-year-old man transitioned in 2008 and later that year, his wife gave birth to a son using his brother’s sperm.
But when he tried to register the child as his son, he was told by officials in Shiso, Hyogo Prefecture, that the child would have to be registered as illegitimate.
The man married his wife one month after completing his transition and is legally recognised as a man.
The decision to class such children as illegitimate came from the Justice Ministry on the grounds that a couple of the same gender cannot have a child. This is despite the 2004 law which allows people to be legally recognised in their acquired gender.
Instead, couple where one partner is trans are advised to adopt their children to ensure inheritance and other rights.
The man reportedly plans to file an appeal with the Kobe Family Court.
