In Japan, there is little discussion about gamete donation for Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) amongst the general public. Nevertheless, gamete donors' situations and rights should be considered when the government regulates ART. A report by a committee of the Health, Labour and Welfare Ministry in 2003 made recommendations for the regulation of ART, and also made proposals for the Informed Consent (IC) of gamete donors. A report by The Ethics Committee of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine and a guideline by the New York State Department of Health contribute to the understanding of the protection of donors' autonomy and rights. Through interpreting these documents and other papers, gamete donors' rights of anonymity, remuneration, etc. involve ethical issues concerning the welfare of the resulting children. These rights of gamete donors also affect the relationships among the people concerned including the resulting children. Through discussing the theme of gamete donors' rights and the protection of autonomy in this paper, it became clear that gamete donors should recognize their responsibilities and liabilities in relation to the welfare of the resulting children. The resulting children's welfare should be considered when determining gamete donors' rights and IC in regulating ART and gamete donation in Japan.
