A 38-year-old man in Japan, known by the alias Hajime, has become the subject of heated discussion after offering sperm donation by actually sleeping with women.
Based in Osaka, Hajime also provides a no-intercourse insemination option.
His journey started five years ago when a university friend, who struggled with infertility, asked him for help. “My university friend told me he lacked sperm and could not have children with his wife, and then he asked me to sleep with her and get her pregnant,” Hajime told Kansai TV.
First Experience That Changed His Life
Although Hajime was initially shocked, he researched infertility and realized many couples faced similar struggles. A few days later, he agreed to the unusual request and helped his friend free of charge. The couple decided to raise the child as their own, and the baby was born the following year.
“To be honest, seeing the child born gave me mixed feelings, but my friend’s parents wanted a grandchild. He was beaming with joy and was very grateful to me,” Hajime recalled. This experience encouraged him to consider helping others in the same situation.
Social Media Outreach and Transparency
Hajime later created a social media account to anonymously offer sperm donation services. To reassure potential clients, he regularly posts results of his monthly infectious disease tests, which cost around 11,700 yen ($80). He also uploads his university diploma to confirm his background. Hajime emphasizes that his services are free, and he only accepts travel expenses. He makes it clear that he does not sign legal contracts and does not claim any financial or parental responsibility for the children conceived through his donations.
Clients and Legal Grey Area in Japan
So far, Hajime has received more than 20 requests and has helped seven women become pregnant, with four children already born. He initially thought infertile couples would make up most of his clients, but he found that many are same-sex female partners, followed by single women who wish to have children without marriage.
Japan’s legal restrictions on fertility treatments for unmarried women and same-sex couples have made his services an alternative option. His work continues in a legal grey area, as no law specifically bans private sperm donation or its online promotion.
Motivations and Growing Debate
Hajime said his motivation is not money but fulfillment. “When I see clients get pregnant and give birth, I feel deeply satisfied, like I have made a contribution to society, and that is my greatest motivation to continue,” he said. His story has triggered wide debate on Chinese social media. Some users raised concerns about the lack of formal records, warning of potential risks in future marriages. Others argued that laws and regulations should be updated to address the growing demand for such services.