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.

Asia

November 4, 2024
Dispatches
Inquiry Needed into Japan’s Flawed Criminal Justice System

Kanae Doi

Japan Director
Arms

October 11, 2024
Dispatches
Nobel Increases Pressure on States to Join Nuclear Weapons Ban

Bonnie Docherty

Senior Arms Advisor, Crisis, Conflict and Arms Division
Free Speech

October 9, 2024
Report
Japan: Chinese Authorities Harass Critics Abroad

Videos

Watch more

Reports

More reports

October 9, 2024 Report

Japan: Chinese Authorities Harass Critics Abroad

Beijing’s Transnational Repression Hinges on Threats Against Families in China
November 14, 2023 Report

“They Don’t Treat Us like Human Beings”

Abuse of Imprisoned Women in Japan
May 25, 2023 Report

Japan’s “Hostage Justice” System

Denial of Bail, Coerced Confessions, and Lack of Access to Lawyers
May 25, 2021 Report

“The Law Undermines Dignity”

Momentum to Revise Japan’s Legal Gender Recognition Process

News

November 15, 2024 Statement

Human Rights Watch’s Submission to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights

Concerning the Treatment of Imprisoned Women in Japan
October 1, 2024 Dispatches

Japan’s Abusive ‘Hostage Justice’ System Persists

Newspaper Ad Marks International Wrongful Conviction Day
August 20, 2024 Dispatches

Japan Should Resist Cambodia’s Transnational Repression

Phnom Penh’s Crackdown on Critics Abroad Threatens Freedom of Expression
June 11, 2024 Dispatches

Let’s Put Play on the Agenda

First International Day of Play Highlights Essential Importance for Children
June 11, 2024 Commentary

Japan Can Aid in Preventing Human Rights Slide in Asia

This is a Pivotal Year for Tokyo to Show Leadership as it Sits on Key UN Bodies
May 21, 2024 Dispatches

Japan Aid Project Still Helping Myanmar’s Military

Tokyo Should Suspend Payments, Impose Targeted Sanctions
May 16, 2024 News Release

Japan: Press Saudi Arabia on Human Rights

Crown Prince Visit an Opportunity to Publicly Address Serious Abuses
April 24, 2024 Dispatches

Japan’s Transgender Law Revisions Should Be Grounded in Autonomy

Compulsory Sterilization Removed, but Lawmakers Should Reject all Onerous Requirements
April 11, 2024 Statement

Submission to the UN Special Rapporteur on Violence against Women and Girls in Sport
April 8, 2024 Dispatches

New Hope for Love for Japanese Children Needing Families

Expanded Incentives for Foster Families Take Effect