In my region (East Asia), specifically in Korea and China, vasectomies were encouraged by the government back in the 60s to curb birth rates, so I do know for a fact that it was available since at least the late 50s. I don’t have much information in regards to Japan, but the related laws suggest that they were a thing since 1948. What about in Europe? It’s not exactly a complicated procedure, but I can see regulations holding people back from undergoing the procedure.
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Vasectomies, as a tool for eugenics, became widespread in Denmark from the 1920es onwards, as a central part, almost a fundamental pillar, of the burgeoning social democratic welfare state project.
When you say “Danish Welfare State” you also have to say “Eugenics.” In 1929, the social democratic government, with support from social liberals and liberals and conservatives, passed a law, opening for voluntary sterilisation for people who’s libido “was a danger to themselves and to others.” This was particularly aimed at criminals, but the offer was open to everybody. However, the social democratic government found this voluntary offer too limited. Only 117 people voluntarily agreed to sterilisation, so, in 1934, they, again with support from the social liberals and liberals and conservatives, passed another law, which opened up for forced sterilisation of the “mentally ill.” The group considered “mentally ill” was however a lot broader than what we today would think, and the eugenics program was a reality. As a true example of the social democratic mindset, the architect behind the program, secretary of justice and secretary of social affairs, K.K. Steicke wrote, in 1920:
> We treat the inferior individual with all care and love, but forbid him, in return, only to reproduce himself
From 1929 until 1967, sterilisation, and generally eugenic programs (some of which continued after 1967 in other ways than sterilisation) was a core part of what the Danish welfare state was. And it was generally accepted as a good thing, that you, in that way, could rid society of those “inferior individuals.” 13.000 people were sterilised, the vast majority forced, both men and women, in those 38 years.
Since then, vasectomies have changed their role in Denmark, and are now done primarily by men in committed relationship to women, who don’t want children, or don’t want more children.