Japanese Dad Wins the Right to Raise 13 Surrogate Babies in Thailand
The “Baby Factory” Scandal That Sparked a Legal Battle
Back in 2014, a slick Japanese businessman, Mitsutoki Shigeta, caught stir in Bangkok’s underbelly. Thai police pulled DNA tests that matched him to nine babies in a cramped apartment—plus at least four more born through Thailand’s now‑banned “rent‑a‑womb” shops.
What Went Down
- Surrogates signed away their rights before the 2015 ban hit.
- Shigeta vanished, but 13 kids were left in the care of the state.
- Later, he sued Thailand’s Ministry of Social Development for custody.
The Court’s Surprise Decision
On Tuesday, Bangkok’s Central Juvenile Court declared Shigeta the sole parent of all 13 children. The judge reasoned that the kids deserve the “happiness and opportunities” that a beloved, well‑off father can offer—especially since he’s got no wild past.
Why the Kids First
- Thai surrogates confirmed that the babies are biologically his.
- They’ve already signed away all parental rights.
- Shigeta will move the kids to Japan where he can provide nurses, nannies, and a big family.
What Comes Next?
The lawyer for Shigeta is now reaching out to the Social Welfare Ministry to handle the transition from state custody to the dad’s care. He’s got the funds and the plan—talk about an ambitious family dream.
The Surrogacy Walk‑Around
After Thailand shut the door in 2015, the surrogacy trade spilled over into neighboring Cambodia (which banned it the next year). The next stop? Laos, a communist country with no rules on surrogacy. Some agencies are secretly pairing Laotian embryo transfers with Thai medical care, mixing the best of both worlds.
Key Takeaways
- Thailand’s ban has worked to safeguard children, but it has also pushed the industry overseas.
- Japanese businessman Mitsutoki Shigeta gains legal custody of his 13 kids—thanks to a court decision that puts family first.
- The case highlights the tangled web of international surrogacy and its loopholes.
