Priority targets of human rights awareness-raising activities

1.
Protect Women’s Rights

Human rights issues related to women have occurred in such as:

• gender discrimination at home or in the workplace
• sex crime
• violence against women by a spouse or a partner
• sexual harassment
• disadvantageous treatment due to pregnancy and childbirth (so-called “maternity harassment”)

It is necessary to deepen interest and understanding on these issues to allow women and men to respect and cooperate with each other.

2.
Protect Children’s Rights

Human rights issues related to children have occurred in such as:

• bullying
• corporal punishment
• child abuse
• child prostitution

It is necessary to deepen interest and understanding on these issues to allow children to be respected absolutely as persons.

3.
Protect Elderly People’s Rights

Human rights issues related to elderly people have occurred in such as:

• discrimination in recruiting
• physical and psychological abuse in a nursing-care facility etc.
• financial abuse such as disposition of property by family members without consent

It is necessary to deepen interest and understanding on these issues in order to create a society where elderly people can enjoy an active life.

4.
Eliminate Prejudice and Discrimination on the Grounds of Disabilities

Human rights issues related to persons with disabilities have occurred in such as:

• discriminatory treatment in the workplace
• refused tenancy of an apartment
• denied services at a shop

It is necessary to deepen interest and understanding on these issues in order to realize a “universal society” by promoting the concept of ”mental barrier-free” where everyone, with or without disability, will be respected and each person is supported mutually toward the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020.

5.
Eliminate Prejudice and Discrimination relating to Dowa issue such as Buraku discrimination

Human rights issues such as marriage discrimination, discriminatory speech and graffiti have existed based on prejudice and a sense of discrimination related to Dowa issues. In December 2016, the “Act on the Promotion of the Elimination of Buraku Discrimination” came into effect. It is necessary to deepen interest and understanding on these issues, having due to regards to the content and measure of awareness-raising activities, keeping in mindnot to raise other discrimination but contribute for the true elimination of these issues.

6.
Eliminate Prejudice and Discrimination against Ainu People

Human rights issues such as marriage discrimination and discrimination in recruiting have existed based on prejudice against and the lack of understanding of the Ainu, who are indigenous people in Japan. It is necessary to deepen interest and understanding on the history, culture, tradition and current status of the Ainu people.

7.
Respect the Rights of Foreign Nationals

Human rights issues based on foreign nationality have occurred such as:

• unfair treatment in recruiting
• refusal of apartment tenancy

Moreover, discriminatory behavior and speeches intending to exclude specific ethnic groups or nationalities have become a public concernas hate speech. In June 2016, the Act on the Promotion of Efforts to Eliminate Unfair Discriminatory Speech and Behavior against Persons Originating from Outside Japan came into effect. It is also anticipated that the opportunity to communicate with foreign nationals will increase toward the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020.

It is necessary to realize diversity of cultures, understand correctly the difference of languages, religions and lifestyles, etc. and deepen recognition of the importance of respect therefor.

Please see this webpage on the efforts against hate speech.

8.
Eliminate Prejudice and Discrimination against People Living with HIV and Hansen’s Disease Patients

Due to the lack of knowledge and understanding of infection such as HIV and Hansen’s disease, human rights issues such as discrimination and privacy violation in the workplace or at a medical setting have been occurring. It is necessary to deepen correct knowledge and understanding of the infection.

9.
Eliminate Prejudice and Discrimination against People Released from Prison after Serving their Sentences

Due to deep-rooted prejudice against people released from prison after serving their sentences and their family, human rights issues such as discrimination in recruiting and difficulties in securing accommodation have been occurring. For such people’s rehabilitation, it is important to realize reintegration into society through strong will as well as understanding and cooperation with those around them. It is also important to develop interest and deepen understanding of these issues.

10.
Consider the Human Rights of Crime Victims and their Families

Human rights issues related to crime victims and their family such as defamation by rumors and slanders, and disturbance of peace in their private life have been occurring. It is necessary to deepen interest and understanding of these issues considering the situation surrounding crime victims and their family.

11.
Eliminate Human Rights Violations on the Internet

Human rights issues have occurred on the internet such as:

• posting matter that violates individual’s reputation or privacy
• posting matter that promotes discrimination
• bullying on the Internet
• leakage and dissemination of image data; so-called “revenge pornography”

These issues are occurring because of the anonymity on the internet and the ease of communication, and are especially common among young people in accordance with the spread of smartphones and mobile phones.

It is necessary to deepen correct understanding on the protection of one’s reputation and privacy, and on the rules and manner of using the Internet.

12.
Deepen Understanding of the Issues of Human Rights Violations by North Korean Authorities

The Law to Address the Abduction Issue and Other North Korean Human Rights Violations provides that human rights violations by the North Korean authorities, including the abduction of Japanese citizens which needs to be urgently resolved, are an issue that should be addressed by the international community as a whole. It is necessary to deepen interest and understanding of these issues.

13.
Eliminate Prejudice and Discrimination against Homeless People

While various efforts to seek the independence of homeless people have been taken, human rights issues such as harassment and violence against homeless people have occurred. It is necessary to deepen interest and understanding of these issues.

14.
Eliminate Prejudice and Discrimination on the Grounds of Sexual Orientation

Due to deep-rooted prejudice against sexual orientation minorities such as homosexuals, human rights issues have occurred in several areas of social life. Some may even be forced to resign from jobs. It is necessary to deepen interest and understanding of these issues.

15.
Eliminate Prejudice and Discrimination on the Grounds of Gender Identity

Sexual identity minorities often suffer due to the difference between their sex and gender and being stared at curiously or treated improperly in workplaces. It is necessary to deepen interest and understanding of these issues.

16.
Stop Trafficking in Persons

Trafficking in persons aimed at sexual exploitation or forced labor etc. is not only a serious crime but a grave violation of fundamental human rights. It is necessary to deepen interest and understanding of these issues.

17.
Eliminate Prejudice and Discrimination Arising from the Great East Japan Earthquake

Human rights issues arising from the Great East Japan Earthquake have been occurring, including bullying against evacuees and troubles due to a prolonged life as evacuees. It is necessary to resolve the issues with correct knowledge and compassion, not forgetting the tragedy of the Earthquake, and prevent new human rights issue from occurring.

Message Concerned with Damage by Rumor about Radiation Exposure