1. The UN Human Rights Committee (Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, CCPR), after considering the sixth periodic report of Japan on July 15 and 16, disclosed its concluding observations on July 24.

2. In its concluding observations, the Human Rights Committee expressed concern over Japan’s contradictory position that the "comfort women" had not been "forcibly deported" by Japanese military during wartime but that the "recruitment, transportation and management" of these women in comfort stations had been done in many cases generally against their will through coercion and intimidation by the military or entities acting on behalf of the military. The Committee also stated that it considers that any such acts carried out against the will of the victims are sufficient to consider them as human rights violations involving the direct legal responsibility of Japan.

3. In addition, the Committee urged Japan to take immediate and effective legislative and administrative measures to ensure: that all allegations of sexual slavery or other human rights violations perpetrated by Japanese military during wartime against the "comfort women", are effectively, independently and impartially investigated and that perpetrators are prosecuted and, if found guilty, punished; access to justice and full reparation to victims and their families; the disclosure of all evidence available; education of students and the general public about the issue, including adequate references in textbooks; the expression of a public apology and official recognition of the responsibility of the State party; condemnation of any attempts to defame victims or to deny the events.

4. Furthermore, the Committee expressed concern over Japan’s hatred speech against members of minority groups, such as Koreans, extremist demonstrations, the harassment and violence perpetrated against minorities. The Committee advised Japan to prohibit all propaganda advocating racial superiority or hatred that incites to discrimination, hostility or violence as well as demonstrations; allocate sufficient resources for awareness-raising campaigns against racism and increase its efforts to ensure that law-enforcement workforce is trained to be able to detect hate and racially motivated crimes; and take all necessary steps to prevent racist attacks and to ensure that the alleged perpetrators are thoroughly investigated and prosecuted, and if convicted, punished with appropriated sanctions. 


                 Spokesperson and Deputy Minister for Public Relations of MOFA

* unofficial translation