U.N. urges Japan to do more to eradicate discrimination against women

Thursday 20th August, 11:49 AM JST

NEW YORK —

A U.N. committee recommended Wednesday that the Japanese government immediately implement remedial measures to eradicate discrimination against women. Japan’s efforts to implement antidiscrimination measures as a state party to the international convention against such discrimination are ‘‘insufficient,’’ the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women said in a report.

Japan has failed to address issues affecting women where the committee pointed out in the 2003 report that Japan should do more, it said. It listed discriminatory provisions in the Civil Code, unequal treatment of women in the labor market and low representation of women in high-level elected bodies.

The committee said it ‘‘regrets’’ these issues have been left unresolved and urged Japan to ‘‘make every effort’’ to remedy the situation.

On the Civil Code, the committee urged Japan to abolish a six-month waiting period required for women but not men before remarriage and to adopt a system allowing for the choice of surnames for married couples.

The committee called on Japan to repeal Civil Code and family registration law provisions that discriminate against children born out of wedlock.

The committee issued the latest report based on its review of Japan’s action to improve the situation of women, the first of its kind since 2003.

The report accused Japan of making light of the fact that the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women is binding.

Japan should recognize the convention as ‘‘the most pertinent, broad and legally binding international instrument in the sphere of the elimination against women,’’ the report said, urging the country to take ‘‘immediate measures’’ so that the convention will become fully applicable in the domestic legal system.

Japan signed the U.N. convention, popularly described as ‘‘an international bill of rights for women,’’ in 1980 and ratified it in 1985.

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Latest 15 of 56 Total Comments Show All

societymike at 10:51 AM JST - 21st August

What business is it of the UN to interfere with Japans culture and so called "discrimination"? Whether you agree with it or not, that is a cultural thing and something that should be left up to the citizens of the nation effected, not the UN.
kirakira25 at 10:56 AM JST - 21st August

Whether people choose to acknowledge it or not, discrimination is rife in this society. I was fired from my job when I got pregnant. I met a girl recently who graduated Todai top of her class in economics and went to the BofJ but was told she couldn`t enter the management stream - unlike some of her male classmates who graduated with lesser grades than her - because she was female and that is BOJ policy - sorry.

However, there seems to be a split of women who want the opportunities, and those who couldn`t care less (like the housewives tmarie mentioned). Why should the ones who want the opportunities be discriminated against because of the lazy ones?

However, I do see things changing slowly for women for several reasons:

1) The recession and subsequent salary cuts/job losses are forcing women back into work. 2) The number and type of foreign companies in Japan is slowly increasing. 3) The available job pool is declining - and Japan is generally against brining in foreigners to take up the slack. 4) The gradual internationalisation of Japanese society.

For men on the other hand - well, I completely agree they have traditionally had a tough time. But my god do they find ways of dealing with it. My own DH came home last night and his first words as he came through the door were "Thats it! I cant stand anymore! When are we going back to the UK?" I would be DELIGHTED to have the opportunity to go back to work and take some of the pressure off him. But the PTA would hunt me down if I was no longer able to take part in their end of term drama production. This society is just not geared up for working mothers, unless you only have one child and have family close by who are willing to help you (which many grannys actually arent because they still believe a woman`s place is in the kitchen).
thedeath at 11:06 AM JST - 21st August

behavior is the mirror in which everyculture shows their truth image.

if your own reflection is so ugly and unimpressed, why angry at the mirror? why not make your self better?
tmarie at 11:54 AM JST - 21st August

What business is it of the UN to interfere with Japans culture and so called "discrimination"? Whether you agree with it or not, that is a cultural thing and something that should be left up to the citizens of the nation effected, not the UN.

Because they were the ones that signed on to agree to improve their discrimination issues??

PTA... I will refusing to deal with that crap. I think that it one way these women make themseleves feel powerful and useful since they don't do much else. Funny how working women can amange to have well fed kids, clean clothes and decent homes as well.
kirakira25 at 04:46 PM JST - 21st August

@tmarie - I refused to deal with "that crap" - as a result I was forced to leave the kindergarten! But you know what - you live and learn. No way will my next two be going through that system. DH and MIL convinced me it was the right thing to do - and it probably is - if you have nothing else going on in your life and need to "feel powerful" in an otherwise powerless world. You are absolutely right - PTA is the way women here make themselves feel "powerful" - if you can consider being deputy head of the sub-committee in charge of can-crushing for the year at some poxy kindergarten "power" (!!!)

Women are just as bad at discrimination at times.
YuriOtani at 11:39 AM JST - 22nd August

The United Nations can go frack themselves. What do they know on this subject when they condone the barbaric practices of Africa, the Middle East and China. They are just trying to divert attention from places where women are oppressed. Think about countries like Saudi and tell me again how women are oppressed in Japan.
illsayit at 12:31 PM JST - 22nd August

Thank you. I like that word frack! I agree. What right have they to an opinion about what is equal between men and women, as if that is possible. Though I would beg to differ with those that suggest woman need more support in the workforce. Women need support for being women. Learn to be the beast! You can not work, and have a child, unless there is a support system for one of those choices. Choose. Dont be greedy now! Anybody listening to a report written in New York on Japan has a lot of water to still cross.
spudman at 12:48 PM JST - 22nd August

The fundamental difference here is the Japan signed and ratified the agreement. They opted into the UN ideal and telling the UN to go frack itself is essentially telling Japan to go frack itself as well. If you are so opposed to the UN having an influence in Japan tell your politicians to opt out. Saudi and other such countries have never had there practices condoned and to make such an assertion weakens your position.
Revolation at 11:43 AM JST - 23rd August

because japan signed the UN agreement and then shot it to the andromeda galaxy to never be found again. why wouldn't the U.N. at least inquire why japan hasn't taken action. isn't it japan who wants a seat on the UN too? if thats the case the UN can bully japan all they want. well i don't think that would be right, but thats the mindset of people with power sometimes. lol
womanforwomen at 11:48 AM JST - 23rd August

I like the UN dramas of how they want to save the world. Especially the spisode with Kofi Annan where he passed the deals through his son's company. There are many countries who have signed documents with UN and nothing ever changes. Funny that even those countries deny access for UN memebers to enter their countries. Recently happened in South Asia. So UN can think of another interesting project for themselves.
tmarie at 07:44 PM JST - 23rd August

Learn to be the beast! You can not work, and have a child, unless there is a support system for one of those choices. Choose. Dont be greedy now!

Oh please! Why should women have to choose between working and having kids? Why can't you support women who want to do both? It lessen the burden on men to be the sole bread winner. If you think like that, one could make a comment that you have no business in helping raise your child. But then again, that is the case in many marriages here. Men are nothing but money. I for one would never want to be in such a relationship.
sf2k at 05:42 AM JST - 24th August

the UN might as well save itself the trouble and just remove Japan as a signatory. No point in signing up for something if it's not possible or being ignored. That way when and if Japan wants to join up again on this issue it would have to show some progress first. No point in a report every 6 years for nothing.
tmarie at 09:20 AM JST - 24th August

No kidding. And Japan wonders why they can't get a permanent seat on the council!
WilliB at 06:39 PM JST - 24th August

Shouldnt the UN be more concerned about womens rights in Shariah countries? Strangely, that does not seem to be an issue.
tmarie at 07:29 PM JST - 24th August

They don't sign the agreement. What part of that can you not understand??