JAPAN Law and Practice Contributed by: Koichi Saito, Wataru Shimizu, Suguru Yokoi, Ai Tanaka and Mai Kurano, Anderson Mori & Tomotsune
2. Legal Framework 2.1 International First, Japan is a party to the International Bill of Human Rights, including: • the Universal Declaration of Human Rights; • the International Covenant on Civil and Politi - cal Rights; and • the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. Second, Japan is a party to the following ILO core conventions as set out in the Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work: Abolition of Child Labour • Minimum Age Convention, 1973 (No 138); and • Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention, 1999 (No 182). Elimination of Forced or Compulsory Labour • Forced Labour Convention, 1930 (No 29); and • Abolition of Forced Labour Convention, 1957 (No 105). Freedom of Association/Collective Bargaining and Labour Relations • Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise Convention, 1948 (No 87); and • Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining Convention, 1949 (No 98). Elimination of Discrimination at Work • Equal Remuneration Convention, 1951 (No 100). A Safe and Healthy Working Environment • Promotional Framework for Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 2006 (No 187).
In May 2024, the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights ( “Working Group” ) submit - ted a report to the UN Human Rights Council on human rights issues in Japan. In the report, the Working Group reported that important advancements had been made in Japan, includ - ing developing a national action plan on BHR and issuing Guidelines on Respecting Human Rights in Responsible Supply Chains. However, it also pointed out that challenges remain con - cerning the business community’s capacity to understand and implement human rights DDs across value chains. The Working Group also expressed concern about the significant difficul - ties observed in addressing deeply embedded harmful gender and social norms, which was particularly evident in the workplace discrimina - tion and harassment experienced by women, indigenous peoples, Buraku* people, persons with disabilities, migrant workers and LGBTQI+ persons. In 2025, Japan will implement Voluntary National Reviews (VNR) for the SDGs. The draft of VNR also mentions issues related to BHR. For exam - ple, it points out that the implementation of human rights initiatives by small and medium- sized enterprises (SMEs) is an issue that needs to be addressed.* “Buraku” discrimination is a human rights issue in Japan stemming from his- torical social stratification. Certain groups asso - ciated with designated areas called “Buraku” have faced long-term economic, social, and cultural disadvantages, as well as discrimina - tion in daily life, including barriers to marriage and employment.
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