
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.

Videos
VideosNews
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Survivors Demand Change to Japan’s ‘Hostage Justice’ System
Large Turnout for Event Hosted by Human Rights Watch and Innocence Project Japan
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Japan Should Act to Prevent Further Atrocities in Israel and Palestine
Tokyo as G7 Chair Should Promote Accountability
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North Korea’s Campaign was No ‘Paradise on Earth’
Japan High Court Finds Pyongyang Lured People to Life of Hardship
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Victory for Transgender Rights in Japan
Supreme Court Rules Compulsory Sterilization Unconstitutional
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Japan Court Rules Against Mandatory Transgender Sterilization
Surgery Requirement Held to be Unconstitutional
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Japan Supreme Court Ruling a Victory for Transgender Employees
Employers Should End Workplace Bathroom Restrictions
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Japan Passes Law to ‘Promote Understanding’ of LGBT People
Fight Continues for Comprehensive Nondiscrimination Legislation
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Japan Should Push Back on Hong Kong’s Rights Violations
Politically Motivated Visa Denials Highlight Growing Range of Abuses