A maternity clinic in Yokohama is suspected of illegally disposing of aborted fetuses in ordinary garbage, city officials said Tuesday.
The Yokohama Municipal Government has inspected Isezaki Women's Clinic on suspicion of violating a law stipulating that aborted fetuses of 12 weeks or older must be cremated and the ashes buried or entombed.
The city launched the investigation in mid-June after receiving information from undisclosed sources that the clinic has been disposing of aborted fetuses in ordinary garbage after cutting off the hands and feet, according to the officials.
The alleged practice could also violate the Medical Service Law and the law regarding treatment of infectious waste, they said.
Keido Harada, who heads the clinic, has denied the allegations, the officials said. They quoted him as telling the city inspectors that the clinic has been dealing with aborted fetuses properly and there were no problems. The city also demanded that the clinic hand over related documents.