UN and discrimination against Buraku people in Japan
UNIVERSAL PERIODIC REVIEW
Japan was reviewed by the UPR working group at its 2nd session in May 2008. In the review of Japan, many states expressed concern about discrimination against minorities. Discrimination against the Buraku people, which is a form of discrimination based on work and descent, was not explicitly referred to in the debate. However, in the national report the Japanese administrative refers to the term "Dowa Issue" which is describe the set of social issues arising from discrimination against Buraku people, a form of caste-like discrimination of a feudal nature. It is used particularly in relation to “Dowa Areas,” which is the administrative term for officially registered Buraku communities. It is referred to in paras. 12 and 17 of the national report.
Japan is up for its second review in 2012.
> Read more about the UPR mechanism and caste discrimination
UN TREATY BODIES
The UN treaty bodies have addressed the situation of the Buraku community and the "Dowa issue" in a number of country reviews (CERD 2010, CEDAW 2009, HRC 2008).
> See a list of relevant UN treaty body reviews of Japan
> Read more about the UN treaty bodies and caste discrimination
UN SPECIAL PROCEDURES
The Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, Mr. Doudou Diène, visited Japan in 2005. The mission report (E/CN.4/2006/16/Add.2) was released in January 2006. In the report the Special Rapporteur explains how the Buraku people are discriminated on the basis of a caste-like class system based on social and professional belonging.
> Read a summary of the report here
> Read more about the UN Special Procedures and caste discrimination
> More information about country visits by UN Special Procedures
UN publications - Japan
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Joint submission by Japan Network for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination incl. IMADR, BLL and BLHRRI |
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Concluding Observations - Japan - CERD 76th session |
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IMADR shadow report on Buraku women - CEDAW review 2009 |
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Concluding Observations 2009 - Japan - CEDAW 44th session 2009 |
