Japan
Japan is a liberal democracy with a record of upholding civil and political rights, but its laws and systems to protect rights are weak. Japan has no laws prohibiting racial, ethnic, or religious discrimination, or discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity. Japan has a law prohibiting sexual discrimination in the workplace only. Civil society groups have long called for a national human rights institution. Serious human rights issues include an asylum and refugee determination system that rarely grants refugee status, a “hostage” justice system that detains criminal suspects for long periods to coerce confessions, use of the death penalty, and a huge psychiatric industry that uses arbitrary detention and use of physical restraints. The Japanese government continues to actively support the expansion of fossil fuels both domestically and abroad, contributing to the global climate crisis.
Videos
Videos-
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May 25, 2023
Japan’s “Hostage Justice” System
Denial of Bail, Coerced Confessions, and Lack of Access to Lawyers
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May 25, 2021
“The Law Undermines Dignity”
Momentum to Revise Japan’s Legal Gender Recognition Process
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News
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May 21, 2024
Japan Aid Project Still Helping Myanmar’s Military
Tokyo Should Suspend Payments, Impose Targeted Sanctions
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May 16, 2024
Japan: Press Saudi Arabia on Human Rights
Crown Prince Visit an Opportunity to Publicly Address Serious Abuses
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April 24, 2024
Japan’s Transgender Law Revisions Should Be Grounded in Autonomy
Compulsory Sterilization Removed, but Lawmakers Should Reject all Onerous Requirements
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April 8, 2024
New Hope for Love for Japanese Children Needing Families
Expanded Incentives for Foster Families Take Effect
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March 29, 2024
Japan Broadens Ban on Restraints of Jailed Women in Labor
Government Should Further Expand Prohibition on Restraining Pregnant People
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March 19, 2024
Japan Lawmakers Seek Probe of Carmaker Links to Xinjiang Abuses
Tokyo Should Enact Human Rights Laws to Counter Beijing’s Repression
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February 26, 2024
Abusive Interrogation Video in Japan Shows Urgent Need for Reform
Rights to a Lawyer, to Remain Silent Need to be Respected
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February 8, 2024
Japan Confirms Use of Restraints on Imprisoned Pregnant Women
Abuses Contravene International Standards on Treatment of Prisoners
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February 8, 2024
Japan Court Finds Rohingya Ethnicity Grounds for Refugee Status
Asylum Seekers Still Risk Being Returned Home to Harm
