[Press Conference Report] Following the release of the final report of the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights’ investigation of Japan

[Press Conference Report] Following the release of the final report of the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights’ investigation of Japan

On 29 May 2024, HRN held a press conference on the final report of the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights on its investigation of Japan following its release. A video of the press conference is available on YouTube from the following links in Japanese.

Part 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XkF0m_5iwwg

Part 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yS9L5AEGarA

The following is a description of the press conference in its advertising before it was held.


[Urgent Statement] “In light of the final report of the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights’ Japan investigation, we once again call on the Japanese government and companies to act responsibly in accordance with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.”

To all media organizations and media personnel

Following the publication of the final report of the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights’ investigation of Japan, on 28 May 2024 Human Rights Now, an international human rights NGO based in Tokyo, will hold an urgent press conference as follows. We ask all media organizations and media personnel to join and report on the matter.

[Summary of the press conference]

Date and time: Thursday, May 30, 2024

Part 1: 13:00-14:00

Part 2: 14:30-15:30

Location: Online by ZOOM

Organizer: Human Rights Now

Attendees:

Part 1

Kazuko Ito | Vice-chairman and lawyer, certified NPO Human Rights Now

Ryutaro Ogawa | Secretary-general and lawyer, certified NPO Human Rights Now

Maki Muraki | President and chairman, certified NPO Nijiiro Diversity *Online

Yoshihiro Ito | Special standing committee member, certified NPO DPI Japan

Yuka Iwatsuki | Representative, certified NPO ACE

Tomoko Fukui | Director and animator, general incorporated association NAFCA

Ayano Fukumiya | Secretary-general and voice actor, general incorporated association NAFCA

Kenkai Zhen | Branch chief, Gifu General Labor Union Second Foreign Branch

Part 2

Kazuko Ito | Vice-chairman and lawyer, certified NPO Human Rights Now

Junya Hiramoto | Former representative of the Association of Johnny’s Sexual Abuse Victims and Writer Ishimaru Shimon | Vice Representative of the Association of Johnny’s Sexual Abuse Victims

Kawai Kenichiro (One of the few victims who was recognized after being ineligible for relief)

Okumura Yoshio (A victim who was ineligible for relief. Real name accusation on TV) *Online

Hotta Mikio (A victim who was ineligible for relief and will now be making a real name accusation) *Online

Ueda Kazumi (A victim who was ineligible for relief and will now be making a real name accusation) *Online

[Background]

From July 24 to August 4, 2023, the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights The UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights (hereinafter referred to as the “UN Working Group”) conducted a 12-day investigation in Japan, conducting hearings and on-site investigations in Tokyo, Osaka, Aichi, Hokkaido, and Fukushima with government officials, the business sector, civil society, industry groups, labor unions, workers, researchers, lawyers, and other stakeholders, and the Working Group released its final report on 28 May 2024.

The UN Working Group’s final report comprehensively clarified that the current situation regarding business and human rights in Japan is highly problematic from the perspective of international standards, and it pointed out a number of serious issues that need to be addressed from the perspective of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (hereinafter referred to as the “UNGPs”).

The Japanese government and companies bear obligations and responsibilities under the UNGPs and need to take the UN Working Group’s final report seriously and immediately address the issues that have been newly identified.

[Contact for this release]

Human Rights Now

Email: info@hrn.or.jp