Foreign Policy

• Agriculture, Fisheries and Forest
• Arms Control and Disarmament
• Atomic Energy
• Climate Change
• Conflict Prevention
• Disaster Prevention and Relief
• Emigration and the Nikkei Communities
• Environment
• Health and Medical Care
• Historical Issues
• Human Rights
• Human Security
• International Law and Treaties
• Maritime Affairs
• Narcotics
• Official Development Assistance (ODA)
• PKO and International Peace Cooperation
• Piracy
• Population and AIDS
• Refugees
• Science and Technology
• Security
• Social Development
• Terrorism
• Transnational Organized Crime
• United Nations
• Women's Issues

Human Rights

Japan's Policy toward the United Nations in the Post-Cold War World

• Human Rights (Pamphlet 2000)

UN Human Rights Instruments

• Universal Declaration of Human Rights
• International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
  • Third Periodic Report by the government of Japan under Articles 16 and 17 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights [PDF]
  • Second Periodic Report by the Government of Japan under Articles 16 and 17 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights
• International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
  • Comments by the Government of Japan on the Concluding Observations of the Human Rights Committee [PDF]
  • Consideration of Reports Submitted by States Parties under Article 40 of the Covenant (October 2008) [PDF]
  • Fifth Periodic Report by the Government of Japan under Article 40 Paragraph 1(b) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (December 2006) [PDF]
  • Fourth Periodic Report by the Government of Japan under Article 40 Paragraph 1(b) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (June 1997)
  • Third Periodic Report by the Government of Japan under Article 40 Paragraph 1(b) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (March 1992) [PDF]
  • Second Periodic Report by the Government of Japan under Article 40 Paragraph 1(b) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (March 1988) [PDF]
  • First Periodic Report by the Government of Japan under Article 40 Paragraph 1(b) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (November 1980) [PDF]
  • Concluding Observations of the Human Rights Committee (November 1998)
• International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination
  • Replies to the List of Questions by the Country Rapporteur in connection with the Consideration of the Third to Sixth Periodic Report (January 2010) [PDF]
  • Third, Fourth, Fifth and Sixth Combined Periodic Report on the Implementation of the International Convention on Elimination of Racial Discrimination (August 2008) [PDF]
  • Comments of the Japanese Government on the Concluding Observations adopted by the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination on March 20, 2000, regarding initial and second periodic report of the Japanese Government
       Survey Report on the Status of Foreign Schools in Foreign Countries (July 1999)
  • First and Second Report on International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (June 1999)
• Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women
  • Concluding Observations of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women: Japan. 31/05/95. A/50/38, paras. 627-636.
  • Fourth Periodic Report on the Implementation of Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women:Japan
  • Fifth Periodic Report on the Implementation of Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women:Japan
  • Concluding Observations of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women:Japan [PDF]
  • Sixth Periodic Report on the Implementation of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women: Japan [PDF]
    • (Statistics) [PDF]
  • Concluding Observations of the Committee on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women: Japan [PDF]
• Convention on the Rights of the Child
  • Convention on the Rights of the Child
    • The Third Report of Japan under Article 44, Paragraph 1 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (April 2008) [PDF]
    • Consideration of Reports Submitted by States Parties under Article 44 of the Convention - Concluding Observations of the Committee on the Rights of the Child (February 2004)
    • The Second Report of Japan under Article 44, Paragraph 1 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (November 2001)
    • The Initial Report of Japan under Article 44, Paragraph 1 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (May 1996)
    • Consideration of Reports Submitted by States Parties under Article 44 of the Convention - Concluding observations of the Committee on the Rights of the Child (June 1998)
  • Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the involvement of children in armed conflict [PDF]
    • The First Report of Japan under Article 8 of Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the involvement of children in armed conflict (April 2008) [PDF]
  • Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography [PDF]
    • The First Report of Japan under Article 12 of Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography (April 2008) [PDF]
• Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment
  • Comments by the Government of Japan concerning the conclusions and recommendations of the Committee against Torture [PDF]
  • Consideration of Reports Submitted by States Parties under Article 19 of the Convention - Conclusions and recommendations of the Committee against Torture (August 2007) [PDF]
  • The First Report of the Japanese Government under Paragraph 1 of Article 19 of the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (December 2005)

Symposia and Congress

• World Congress against Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children
  • The Third World Congress against Sexual Exploitation of Children and Adolescents (November 2008)
    • The Rio de Janeiro Declaration and Call for Action to Prevent and Stop Sexual Exploitation of Children and Adolescents [PDF]
    • Statement by Ms. Mitsuko Shino, Director of Human Rights and Humanitarian Affairs Division, Foreign Policy Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, for Mr. Yasutoshi Nishimura, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, at the High-Level Governmental Dialogue on Theme 1: "Forms of Commercial Sexual Exploitation and Its New Scenarios" (November 26, 2008)
    • Statement by Mr. Yasutoshi Nishimura, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, at the Opening Ceremony of the Third World Congress against Sexual Exploitation of Children and Adolescents (November 25, 2008)
    • Japan Template for updated information [PDF]
• Seminar on Humanitarian Assistance in Africa (Hiroshima) (November 2008)
• Symposium organized by Ministry of Foreign Affairs "Towards Arc of Freedom and Prosperity: New Developments in Japan's Foreign Policy for the Promotion of Human Rights and Democracy" (February 2007)
  • Press Release (February 16, 2007)
  • Event Information
• Symposium on the International Humanitarian Law (March 2005)
• Regional Symposium on Effective measures for the Abolition of Female Genital Mutilation to ensure Safe Motherhood (August 2003) [PDF]
• International Symposium on Trafficking of Children (February 2003)
• National Report on Follow-up to the World Summit for Children
• The World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance (September 2001)
  • Statement by Ms.Kaori Maruya, Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs
• International Workshop/Symposium on Children and Armed Conflict - Reintegration for Former Child Soldiers in the Post-conflict Community (November 2000)
• The Special Session of the General Assembly entitled "Women 2000: Gender Equality, Development and Peace for the Twenty-first Century" (May 2000)
• Asia-Pacific Symposium on Trafficking in Persons (January 2000)
  • Major Points of Discussions
• International Symposium on "Children and Armed Conflict" (November 1998)
  • Joint Statement
  • International Symposium on "Children and Armed Conflict" (November 1998)
• Symposium on Human Rights in the Asia-Pacific Region (Third Meeting) (January 1998)
  • Summary by the Moderator

Democracy

• Symposium organized by Ministry of Foreign Affairs "Japan's Foreign Policy for the Promotion of Human Rights and Democracy: Challenges and Prospects" (February 1, 2008)
  • Report [PDF]
  • Presentation Materials [PDF]

Other Resources

• Japan-France Consultative Committee on Issues Related to Child Custody (November 2009)
• The Adoption at the Third Committee, United Nations General Assembly, of the Resolution on the Situation of Human Rights in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (November 2009)
• Statement by H.E. Mr. Yukio Takasu, Permanent Representative of Japan, on Item 64: Report of the Human Rights Council, at the 64th Session of the General Assembly of the United Nations (November 2009)
• Statement by Mr. Takashi Ashiki, Minister, Permanent Mission of Japan, on Item 64: Report of the Human Rights Council, at the Third Committee of the 64th Session of the General Assembly of the United Nations (October 2009)
• Statement by H.E. Mr. Norihiro Okuda, Deputy Permanent Representative of Japan, on Human rights situations (Item 69(c)) at the Third Committee of the Sixty-fourth session of the General Assembly of the United Nations (October 2009)
• Statement by Ms. Azusa Shinohara, Alternate Representative of Japan, on Item 69 (b): Human rights questions, including alternative approaches for improving the effective enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms, at the Third Committee of the 64th Session of the General Assembly of the United Nations (October 2009)
• Statement by Minister Takashi Ashiki of Japan on Item 69 (a): Promotion and Protection of Human Rights, Implementation of Human Rights Instruments at the Third Committee of the Sixty-fourth session of the General Assembly of the United Nations (October 2009)
• Statement by Ms. Azusa Shinohara, Alternate Representative of Japan, on Item 68: Indigenous Issues at the Third Committee of the Sixty-fourth Session of the General Assembly of the United Nations (October 2009)
• Deposit of the Instrument of Ratification of the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance (July 2009)
• Statement of Japan at the Durban Review Conference (April 2009)
• Ceremony to deliver a letter commissioning the Goodwill Ambassador for the Human Rights of Persons Affected by Leprosy (April 2009)
• Statement by H.E. Ambassador Shinichi KITAJIMA, at the High Level Segment of the Human Rights Council at its Tenth Session (March 2009)
• Visit to Japan by Professor Vitit Muntarbhorn, UN Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (January 2009)
• The Adoption at the Third Committee, United Nations General Assembly, of the Resolution on the Situation of Human Rights in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (November 2008)
• Statement by Dr. Nobuko Kurosaki, Alternate Representative of Japan, on Item 64(b): Human rights questions, including alternative approaches for improving the effective enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms and Item 64(e): Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities at the Third Committee of the 63rd Session of the General Assembly of the United Nations (October 2008)
• Statement by H.E. Mr. Norihiro Okuda, Deputy Permanent Representative of Japan, on Human rights situations (Item 64 (c)) at the Third Committee of the Sixty-third session of the General Assembly of the United Nations (October 2008)
• Statement by Dr. Nobuko Kurosaki, Alternate Representative of Japan, on Implementation of human rights instruments (Item 64(a)) at the Third Committee of the 63rd Session of the General Assembly of the United Nations (October 2008)
• The 5th Iran-Japan Human Rights Dialogue (October 2008)
• Statement by Dr. Nobuko Kurosaki, Alternate Representative of Japan, on Item 60(a): Promotion and protection of the rights of children and Item 60(b): Follow-up to the special session on children at the Third Committee to the 63rd Session of the General Assembly of the United Nations (October 2008)
• Adoption of the "Resolution on Elimination of Discrimination against Persons Affected by Leprosy and their Family Members" at the 8th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (June 2008)
• The Third Election for the UN Human Rights Council (May 2008)
• National Report by Japan for the Universal Periodic Review (March 2008) [PDF]
• Statement by Mr. Jun Yamada, Permanent Mission of Japan to the United Nations on Item 128: Report of the Human Rights Council (March 2008)
• Statement by Yasuhide Nakayama, Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan at the High-Level Segment of the Human Rights Council at its Seventh Session (March 2008)
• Japan's voluntary pledges and commitments in accordance with resolution A/RES/60/251 (February 2008)
• Visit to Japan by Professor Vitit Muntarbhorn, UN Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (January 2008)
• Mr. Masahiko Koumura, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Pays Courtesy Call on Sri Lankan President H.E. Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa (December 2007)
• Statement by H.E. Mr. Takahiro Shinyo, Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations, on the Report of the Human Rights Council (Item 65) at the Third Committee of the Sixty-second Session of the General Assembly (November 2007)
• Statement by H.E. Mr. Yukio Takasu, Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations, on Human Rights Situations (Item 70(c)) (October 2007)
• Statement by Dr. Nobuko Kurosaki, Alternate Representative of Japan on Implementation of human rights instruments (Item 70(a)) and Celebration of the sixtieth anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (Item 70(f)) (October 2007)
• Signing of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (September 2007)
• The 4th Japan-Iran Human Rights Dialogue (July 2007)
  • Summary (July 6, 2007)
• Statement by Mr. Masayoshi Hamada, Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, at the Conference "Free Children from War" (February 2007)
• Signing of the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance (February 2007)
• Visit to Japan by Ms. Louise Arbour, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (January 2007)
• Visit to Japan by Professor Vitit Muntarbhorn, UN Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (December 2006)
• Statement by the Press Secretary on the Adoption at the Third Committee, United Nations General Assembly, of the Resolution on the "Situation of Human Rights in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea" (November 2006)
• Statement by Ambassador Kenzo Oshima, Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations, at the Third Committee (October 2006)
• Statement by Mr. Yasushi Takase, Delegation of Japan, at the Sixty-first Session of the General Assembly on Agenda Item 67(a): Implementation of human rights instruments (October 2006)
• Statement by Ms. Mikiko Otani, Alternate Representative of Japan, at the Sixtieth Session of the General Assembly on Items 63: Promotion and protection of the rights of the child (October 2006)
• Statement by Prof. Akiko Yamanaka, Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan at the First High-Level Segment of the Human Rights Council (June 2006)
• Statement by H.E. Mr. Toshiro Ozawa, Ambassador of Japan to the United Nations, on Promotion of Human Rights and Effective Coordination of Humanitarian Assistance Efforts (May 2006)
• Statement by Mr. Taro Aso, Minister for Foreign Affairs, on the United Nations Human Rights Council Election (May 2006)
• Appointment of Ms. Fumiko Saiga as Japan's Ambassador in charge of Human Rights (December 2005)
• Statement by the Press Secretary on the Adoption of the Resolution on the Situation of Human Rights in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea at the Third Committee, United Nations General Assembly (November 2005)
• Statement by H.E. Ambassador Shinichi Kitaoka, Deputy Permanent Representative of Japan, on Agenda item 69: Elimination of racism and racial discrimination (November 2005)
• Remarks by Ambassador Shinichi Kitaoka, Deputy Permanent Representative of Japan, at the Informal Consultation of the General Assembly on Human Rights Council (November 2005)
• Statement by H.E. Mr. Kenzo Oshima, Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations, at the Third Committee (October 2005)
• Remarks by H.E. Mr. Kenzo Oshima, Permanent Representative of Japan, at the Informal Consultation of the General Assembly on Human Rights Council (October 2005)
• Statement by Ms. Mikiko Otani, Alternate Representative of Japan, at the Sixtieth Session of the General Assembly on Item 67: Promotion and Protection of the Rights of the Child (October 2005)
• International Law Moot Court Competition "Asia Cup 2005" (August 2005)
• Statement by the Press Secretary on the Adoption of the Resolution on the Situation of Human Rights in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea at the U.N. Commission on Human Rights (April 2005)
• Opening Statement by Mr. Itsunori ONODERA, Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs of Japan, at the 61st Session of the Commission on Human Rights (March 2005)
• Statement by H.E. Mr. Koichi Haraguchi, Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations, on Agenda item 105(b): Human rights questions, including alternative approaches for improving the effective enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms; United Nations Decade for Human Rights Education, 1995-2004 (December 2004)
• Statement by H. E. Mr. Shinichi Kitaoka, Deputy Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations, on Agenda item 105(b): Human rights questions, including alternative approaches for improving the effective enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms, and Agenda item 105(c): Human rights situations and reports of special rapporteurs and representatives (October 2004)
• Statement by H.E. Ambassador Shigeru Endo, the Delegation of Japan, at the 60th Session of the Commission on Human Rights "Question of the Violation of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms in Any Part of the World" (March 2004) [PDF]
• Statement by H.E. Ambassador Shigeru Endo, the Delegation of Japan, at the 60th Session of the Commission on Human Rights (March 2004)
• Opening Statement by Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs of Japan Isao Matsumiya at the 60th Session of the Commission on Human Rights (March 2004)
• Statement by Ambassador Toshiro Ozawa, Representative of Japan, at the open debate of the Security Council on "Children and Armed Conflict" (January 2004)
• Statement by H.E. Ambassador Toshiro Ozawa, Permanent Mission of Japan to the United Nations, at the Plenary Meeting of the General Assembly, on Agenda Item 48, Fifty-fifth anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Agenda Item 117(d), Comprehensive implementation of and follow-up to the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action (December 2003)
• Statement by H.E. Mr. Koichi Haraguchi, Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations, at the Third Committee of the Fifty-eighth Session of the General Assembly, on Agenda item 117(b): Human rights questions, including alternative approaches for improving the effective enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms, and Agenda item 117(c): Human rights situations and reports of special rapporteurs and representatives (November 2003)
• Statement by Ms. Kay Fusano, Alternate Representative of Japan to the United Nations, at the Third Committee, Fifty-eighth Session of the General Assembly, on Agenda item 113: Promotion and protection of the rights of children (October 2003)
• Assistance for Protection of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) (August 2003)
• Deposit of the Instrument of Accession to the Convention on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons (February 2003)
• Japan-Sudan Human Rights Dialogue (Press Release) (February 2003)
• Statement by the Press Secretary on the Appointment of Mr. Sergio Vieira de Mello, Former Special Representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations, as the Next United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (July 2002)
• A Survey of Programs on the Reintegration of Former Child Soldiers (March 2001)
• Japan's Support for Democratization (September 1999)
• UN Activities on Human Rights (Pamphlet 1996)

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Press Secretary's Press Conference on Human Rights

• Archives on Human Rights