The article covers the journey of Akiko Mukai, a woman who was born through surrogate maternity 23 years ago, focusing on her present life. It discusses her experiences, the double-edged sword of surrogacy in Japanese society, and the personal implications this has had on her own life. With surrogacy not being legally recognized, and still quite controversial in Japan, Mukai's story sheds light on the complexities of the issue.

In Japan, surrogacy is not legally recognized and is a topic of social controversy due to paternal lineage recognition practices and the potential exploitation of women's bodies. People tend to care about traditional family values, resulting in societal caution and concern towards surrogate births.

In comparison, the US and EU have varying laws on surrogacy. In some states in the US and in certain European countries, surrogacy is legal and regulated, whereas some places strictly prohibit it. The social acceptance of surrogacy is also more widespread in these parts of the world.