DiscoverJapanese True Crime​024 "Moraiko Satsujin", Baby Farmers: The Dark History of Infant Murder for Profit in Early 20th Century Japan
​024 "Moraiko Satsujin", Baby Farmers: The Dark History of Infant Murder for Profit in Early 20th Century Japan

​024 "Moraiko Satsujin", Baby Farmers: The Dark History of Infant Murder for Profit in Early 20th Century Japan

Update: 2025-09-12
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​"Moraiko Satsujin," or "adopted child murder," was a historical practice in Japan where individuals accepted unwanted newborns under the guise of providing care but subsequently killed them after receiving compensation from the biological parents. This practice emerged due to societal stigmas against illegitimate births and economic hardships that made it difficult for families to raise additional children. The lack of legal avenues for abortion and minimal oversight allowed such acts to persist, often unnoticed, especially given the high infant mortality rates of the time. Similar practices, known as "baby farming," occurred in other countries, including Britain, Australia, and the United States. The decline of "Moraiko Satsujin" in Japan coincided with legal reforms, the legalization of abortion, improved social welfare systems, and stricter regulations on child adoption and welfare. These changes collectively contributed to the eradication of this tragic practice.


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​024 "Moraiko Satsujin", Baby Farmers: The Dark History of Infant Murder for Profit in Early 20th Century Japan

​024 "Moraiko Satsujin", Baby Farmers: The Dark History of Infant Murder for Profit in Early 20th Century Japan

Osamu Yamamoto