Blood transfusion

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JapanReported

Jehovah's Witnesses' Japanese corporation and member families sued the state over 2022 guidelines on religion-related child abuse

Illustration: an open government circular beside a tied case file on a bare courtroom table before a closed paper screen

The suit in the Tokyo District Court, filed in March 2025 and reported by Jiji Press in April 2026, argues that a health-ministry Q&A listing a parent's refusal of a blood transfusion a doctor judges necessary as neglect is unconstitutional, and asks for the guidelines to be set aside, with ¥2 million in damages per person. The state was contesting the claims, according to April 2026 reports; three advocacy groups for people raised in religious households criticised the suit.

· April 11, 2026 · 11 min read

JapanReported

Okinawa Prefecture asks court to reject Jehovah's Witnesses' suit over refused treatment

Illustration: an unsigned form and pen on a hospital reception counter before a closed door, with a small ferry pier and open water beyond

Five Jehovah's Witnesses say two prefectural hospitals refused to treat them unless they signed a blood-transfusion consent form, and are suing Okinawa Prefecture for about ¥16.74 million. Ryukyu Shimpo reported on 17 September 2026 that at the first hearing at the Naha District Court the prefecture asked for the claims to be rejected. The allegations are unproven.

· Updated September 19, 2026 · 7 min read

BrazilConfirmed

Brazil's Supreme Court lists 30 September to resume its judgment on transfusions given against a patient's refusal

Illustration: a wall calendar with one date circled above a judicial bench rail holding two case files, an open statute book and an hourglass

On 28 August 2026 the STF's president, Edson Fachin, put ADPF 618 and ADPF 642 on the plenary calendar for 30 September. The merits judgment opened in a virtual session in 2025 and has been suspended twice by justices asking to study the file; the dockets record two justices' positions. Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania and the Associação das Testemunhas Cristãs de Jeová are admitted friends of the court in ADPF 618.

· August 28, 2026 · 10 min read