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

June 13, 2025
Dispatches
Japan Acts to Protect Athletes from Abuse

Hanna Yumura

Officer, Asia Division

Minky Worden

Director of Global Initiatives
LGBT Rights

June 11, 2025
Commentary
Japan Should End Abusive Detention Conditions for Transgender People

Teppei Kasai

Program Officer, Asia Division

Published in: Washington Blade
Asia

May 18, 2025
News Release
Japan: Press Cambodia’s Leader on Human Rights

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