7 Human Rights

There is growing international concern about the human rights situations in various parts of the world. The protection and promotion of human rights is the foundation for peace and stability in the international community. Japan recognizes that human rights are universal values and that the protection of human rights is the basic responsibility of all countries, regardless of differences in the method of achieving this goal and their cultures. While speaking out firmly against any serious violation of human rights, Japan considers, under the basic principle of “dialogue” and “cooperation,” that it is important to promote voluntary efforts of each country through bilateral dialogues and cooperation with countries that are working toward democratization and the protection of human rights. In addition, while advocating the standpoint of bridge-building in Asia and protection of socially vulnerable people, Japan puts effort into improving the global human rights situation through bilateral dialogues, proactive participation in multilateral forums such as the UN, and constructive dialogues with the UN human rights mechanisms. With regard to bilateral dialogues, Japan and the U.S. launched the new Japan-U.S. Strategic Dialogue on Democratic Resilience in 2023, and the second session of this dialogue took place in March 2024. In this dialogue, the two sides discussed their collaboration in international fora, and also exchanged views on the promotion of an inclusive society and women's empowerment, as well as the improvement of democratic resilience in the international community and within each country.

(1) Initiatives within the UN

A UN Human Rights Council

The Human Rights Council holds sessions throughout the year in Geneva (three regular sessions per year) to discuss issues and make recommendations concerning the protection and promotion of human rights and fundamental freedoms. Japan has served as a member of the Council for five terms until 2023. Most recently, it was elected in the election of the Human Rights Council members held in October 2023 and serves on the Council for the term from January 2024 to December 2026 (sixth term).

At the high-level segment of the 55th Session of the Human Rights Council held in February and March (a meeting of the key representatives from each country), Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs FUKAZAWA Yoichi delivered a statement. He stressed that it was important for the international community to continue dialogue and cooperation amid the increasingly dire circumstances facing many people in countries across the globe, including in Ukraine and the Middle East including the Gaza Strip. He also spoke about Japan's continued determination to contribute to the protection and promotion of human rights in Asia and the world, and stressed the importance of the immediate resolution of the abductions issue. Furthermore, he expressed Japan's deep concerns over the human rights situation in China, including the situation in Hong Kong and the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, and urged China to take concrete actions. He also introduced Japan's latest initiatives, including the promotion of respect for human rights in corporate activities under its National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights, and initiatives on gender issues led by Japan as Chair of the G7. The resolution on the Situation of human rights in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea), submitted by the EU and co-sponsored by Japan, was adopted without a vote at the same session (adopted for 17 consecutive years). This resolution strongly demands again that North Korea sincerely listen to the victims and their families, clarify the fate and whereabouts of disappeared persons, and faithfully provide accurate, detailed, and full information promptly to the families of victims, and in particular, realize the immediate return of all Japanese abductees.

B The Third Committee of the UN General Assembly

The Third Committee of the UN General Assembly is, along with the Human Rights Council, the UN's main forum focused on human rights. Generally, in October and November, the Committee discusses a wide range of issues, including those concerning social development, women, children, racial discrimination, refugees, crime prevention and criminal justice, as well as the human rights situations in North Korea, Syria and Iran, among others. Resolutions adopted by the Third Committee are then adopted by a plenary session of the General Assembly, contributing to the development of international norms.

At the 79th session of the General Assembly, the resolution on the Situation of human rights in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea), submitted by the EU and co-sponsored by Japan, was adopted without a vote at a session of the Third Committee in November and at a plenary session of the UN General Assembly in December (adopted for the 20th consecutive year). The resolution reiterated the urgency and importance of the abductions issue, which involves a serious violation of human rights, and of the immediate return of all abductees, as they and their family members are ageing and there is no time to lose, and also strongly demands again that North Korea sincerely listen to the voices of the victims and their families, faithfully provide accurate, detailed, and full information to their families on their fates and whereabouts, and, in particular, realize the immediate return of all Japanese abductees. At the same session, Australia, on behalf of 15 countries, delivered a joint statement expressing concern about the human rights situation in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, and serious concern about credible reports detailing human rights abuses in Tibet. Japan was the only participating country from Asia.

In addition, Japan participated actively in discussions in the international community toward protecting and promoting human rights, including discussions on the human rights situations in countries such as Syria, Iran, and Myanmar, as well as on various human rights issues that include social development and the rights of the child.

C Implementation of the National Action Plan (NAP) on Business and Human Rights

In response to the “Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs)” endorsed by the UN Human Rights Council, Japan has been promoting respect for human rights in the context of business activities. These include the Government of Japan's formulation of the NAP on Business and Human Rights in 2020 and the cross-industry Guidelines on Respecting Human Rights in Responsible Supply Chains in 2022, as well as its decision on a government policy on human rights consideration in public procurement in April 2023. At the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Policy Promotion for the Implementation of Japan's National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights held in May 2024, a decision was made to commence work on revising the NAP with the approaching deadline in FY2025, and revision work is currently ongoing (as of the end of 2024). Furthermore, MOFA carries out publicity and promotional activities through seminars targeting companies in Japan and overseas, and cooperates with international organizations, mainly in countries where Japanese enterprises are operating, to provide support to local governments on the formulation and implementation of National Action Plans, to conduct training for Japanese companies and their suppliers in these countries. MOFA, in cooperation with the relevant ministries and agencies, will steadily implement the NAP and revise it going forward, while continuing to engage in dialogues with stakeholders.

D Summit for Democracy

In March, the Republic of Korea hosted the third Summit for Democracy, and Prime Minister Kishida participated in the Leaders' Plenary held in online format. Prime Minister Kishida explained Japan's stance and initiatives to protect democracy and promote human rights in the world, from the standpoint of emphasizing universal values, including democracy.

E 1st Global Ministerial Conference on Ending Violence Against Children, held in Colombia

In November, the 1st Global Ministerial Conference on Ending Violence Against Children was held in Bogotá, the capital of Colombia, in which Japan participated. In addition to explaining Japan's initiatives toward eradicating abuse and sexual violence against children, Japan endorsed the Bogotá Call to Action, which was adopted as the outcome document of the conference.

(2) Initiatives Concerning International Human Rights Law (IHRL) and International Humanitarian Law (IHL)

A International Human Rights Law (IHRL)

In June, the election of the members of the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities was held at the 17th Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities at the UN Headquarters in New York, and Japan's candidate, TAMON Hiroshi, was elected. He is the second member from Japan elected to the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, following former member ISHIKAWA Jun (term of office from 2017 to 2020).

B International Humanitarian Law (IHL)

Japan has actively been engaged in efforts to strengthen the national implementation of IHL. In September, a meeting of the National IHL Committee was held jointly with the Japanese Red Cross Society. Japan participated in the 34th International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent held in October, where it delivered a statement and made a joint pledge with the Japanese Red Cross Society regarding the importance of strengthening the promotion of IHL. As part of its efforts to raise awareness of IHL, Japan, as it does every year, dispatched its officials to serve as judges in the IHL Moot Court and Role-Play Competitions in December, organized by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

(3) Contribution to Refugee Issues

From the perspective of international contribution and humanitarian aid, Japan became the first country in Asia to accept refugees in 2010 under a resettlement program (the transfer of refugees from an asylum country to a third country that agrees to accept them for long-term settlement). Japan has been accepting refugees from Thailand until 2014 and from Malaysia since 2015. As of the end of 2024, a total of 323 refugees from 133 households have arrived in Japan.

Refugees arriving in Japan undergo a six-month training program, which includes language studies for daily life and employment support services. Those who have completed the training program live independently in their respective areas of resettlement. Initially, local governments in the Tokyo Metropolitan area played a central role in operations concerning the resettlement of refugees. However, from the perspective of promoting national understanding of the refugee issue, active efforts have been made to resettle refugees in municipalities outside the Tokyo Metropolitan area since 2018.