Many residents of Fukushima prefecture still lack basic information and clear answers about the level of radiation in their food and environment. Although the explosion at the Daiichi plant is considered the most severe radiation crisis worldwide since Chernobyl, many residents of Fukushima prefecture report that they have not been able to have their children tested for radiation exposure. They also told Human Rights Watch that the government provides contradictory information about the impact of radiation on human health.

On June 27, three organizations concerned with human rights - Tokyo Pride, Human Rights Watch Tokyo, and African Japan Forum - met with representatives of the Embassy of Uganda to express concerns about recent violations of rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered (LGBT) persons in that country.

Prime Minister Naoto Kan of Japan should call on China to release the large number of peaceful critics it has rounded up in recent months during Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao's visit to Japan.

Philippine President Benigno Aquino III visits Japan this week for the first time since he took office on June 30, to attend his first Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting in Yokohama. As human rights are a pillar of Japan's foreign policy, Prime Minister Naoto Kan should express Japan's concern about the ongoing extrajudicial killings in the Philippines carried out with near complete impunity, and make clear that failure to address the killings seriously will jeopardize the bilateral relationship.