Although Taro Kono was determined from the beginning to save his father's life by donating part of his liver, the 39-year-old lawmaker of the Liberal Democratic Party said the decision-making process was tough for his family, even with a fair amount of knowledge about the procedure.
The choice is not necessarily always a clear one for families facing a similar situation because circumstances vary, Kono said in an interview.
"It is the kind of decision that should be made after thoroughly examining pertinent information from a variety of perspectives, in a quiet environment, and without any pressure," he said.