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 everyone 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
• sex crime
• child prostitution

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

3.
Protect Elderly People’s Rights

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

• 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 employment and 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 society where everyone will live together in mutual respect for each other's personality and individuality, regardless of whether they have an illness or disability.

5.
Resolve the Buraku Discrimination (Dowa Issue)

Human rights issues such as discrimination in marriage dating, employment and the workplace, 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 mind not to raise other discrimination but contribute for the true elimination of these issues.

6.
Eliminate Prejudice and Discrimination against Ainu People

To realize a society where the pride of the Ainu, who are indigenous people in Japan, is respected. 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, so-called "hate speech," have become a problem. 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 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 Related to Infectious Diseases

Due to the lack of knowledge and understanding about infectious diseases such as AIDS, hepatitis, and COVID-19, human rights issues such as discrimination and privacy violation in the various aspects of social life including daily life, schools, and the workplaces have been occurring. It is necessary to possess correct knowledge about infectious diseases and to eliminate prejudice and discrimination against patients affected.

9.
Eliminate Prejudice and Discrimination against Present and Former Hansen's Disease Patients and their Families

Regarding measures for Hansen's disease, under the former policy of compulsory isolation, prejudice and discrimination were created and fostered not only against present and former patients, but also against their families, and these attitudes persist to this day. It is necessary to possess correct knowledge about Hansen's disease, deepen understanding of the current situation faced by present and former Hansen's disease patients and their families, and eliminate prejudice and discrimination.

10.
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 families, human rights issues such as discrimination in recruiting and difficulties in securing accommodation have been occurring. For such people and their families to be included in society, it is necessary not only for the individuals themselves to have a strong will for rehabilitation, but also for those around them to show understanding and cooperation. It is also necessary to develop interest and deepen understanding of these issues.

11.
Consider the Human Rights of Crime Victims and their Families

Human rights issues related to crime victims and their families 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 families.

12.
Eliminate Human Rights Violations on the Internet

Human rights issues have occurred on the internet such as:

• posting matter that contains insulting expressions toward individuals or violates individual’s reputation or privacy
• posting matter that promotes discrimination
• bullying on the Internet
• leakage and spread of image data

The dissemination or spread of such information triggers a chain reaction of similar posts, leading to irresparable and serious problems.

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.

13.
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.

14.
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 been occurring. It is necessary to deepen interest and understanding of these issues.

15.
Eliminate Prejudice and Discrimination regarding Sexual Minorites

Human rights issues occur in such facing prejudice in society, suffering unfair treatment in the workplace, or experiencing bullying in schools on the grounds of belonging to sexual minorities. To realize a society where all people coexist while mutually respecting each other's personality and individuality, 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 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 Disasters such as Earthquake

Human rights issues arising during disasters such as earthquake have been occurring. It is necessary to call for actions guided by compassion based on correct knowledge and calm judgment.

18.
Eliminate Prejudice and Discrimination regarding Genome Information (Genetic Information)

As genomic medicine becomes more widespread and the use of genome information expands, there is a risk that human rights issues such as unfair discrimination and privacy violations may occur in various aspects of social life, including daily lives, employment, and insurance enrollment. It is necessary to deepen understanding of the importance of possessing correct knowledge about genome information (genetic information) and making calm judgments based on correct information.