The women, now in their 60s and 70s, say their ordeals were a violation of human rights

A court in Japan has rejected demands for damages from two women who were forcibly sterilised four decades ago under a now-defunct eugenics law designed to prevent the birth of “inferior” children.

The women, who are in their 60s and 70s, had sought a total of 71.5m yen (£516,000) from the government, describing their ordeals as a violation of their human rights. The older woman said Tuesday’s ruling had left her speechless.

Related: Japan apologises to victims of forced sterilisation