Legal Frameworks and Personal Experiences: Egg Donation in Japan and Taiwan (Hybrid)
| Dates: | 24 June 2026 |
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| Times: | 16:00 - 17:30 |
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| What is it: | Seminar |
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| Organiser: | School of Social Sciences |
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| Who is it for: | University staff, External researchers, Current University students |
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| Speaker: | Professor Chiaki Shirai |
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Japan has no legal framework governing donor conception. In contrast, Taiwan has legislation that guarantees donor anonymity and restricts egg donation to infertile, legally married heterosexual couples.
In this presentation, I examine the impact of these legal frameworks on people, as well as individuals’ experiences and responses. First, I analyse public reactions to a bill submitted in 2025.
A major opposition movement emerged on the grounds that the right to know one’s origins was not sufficiently guaranteed. Second, I explore how Japanese individuals perceive travelling to Taiwan to receive egg donations. Drawing on survey data I collected, I report on the rationale behind decisions to accept or decline anonymous donation.
This seminar is jointly hosted by the Morgan Centre for Research into Everyday Lives (SoSS) and East Asian Studies (SALC).
The seminar will be held in a hybrid format, with attendees welcome to join either in person or online via Microsoft Teams.
On-campus:
Location: Arthur Lewis, G.019
Tea and coffee will be served from 3.30pm for those attending in person.
Online:
Teams Meeting ID: 358 860 694 729 220
Passcode: RF6pM7Ch
Speaker
Professor Chiaki Shirai
Organisation: Shizuoka University, Japan
Biography: Chiaki Shirai is Professor at Shizuoka University. Her research focuses on reproductive technologies, bioethics, and family in contemporary Japan and East Asia, with particular attention to donor conception and cross-border reproductive practices.
Travel and Contact Information
Find event
G.019
Arthur Lewis Building
Manchester
