Legislation took effect in Japan on Friday to provide compensation for people and bereaved families who suffered under the now-defunct Eugenic Protection Law.

The law allowed sterilization and abortion procedures to be performed on people with mental or intellectual disabilities or other conditions. It was in effect for 48 years until it was scrapped in 1996.

The new legislation provides 15 million yen, or about 96,500 dollars, for forcibly sterilized people, 5 million yen to their spouses, and 2 million yen to women who were forced to have an abortion.

A man visited a Tokyo government office on Friday to apply for compensation for his deceased wife. He filed a lawsuit against the state to seek compensation, and won in the Supreme Court.

The man submitted his application to Tokyo officials, and asked them to save the many people who are still suffering. He said he wants the state to act responsibly, and hopes that victims will have the courage to come forward.

Japan's government says roughly 25,000 people are eligible for compensation as victims of forced sterilization or their bereaved relatives. It is believed that some of them may hesitate to apply due to fear of discrimination or may be unable to do so because of their disabilities.

Officials say eligible people who want to file applications are entitled to free support from lawyers.