Japan

Japan is a liberal democracy with a record of upholding civil and political rights, but its laws and systems to protect rights are weak. Japan has no laws prohibiting racial, ethnic, or religious discrimination, or discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity. Japan has a law prohibiting sexual discrimination in the workplace only. Civil society groups have long called for a national human rights institution. Serious human rights issues include an asylum and refugee determination system that rarely grants refugee status, a “hostage” justice system that detains criminal suspects for long periods to coerce confessions, use of the death penalty, and a huge psychiatric industry that uses arbitrary detention and use of physical restraints. The Japanese government continues to actively support the expansion of fossil fuels both domestically and abroad, contributing to the global climate crisis.

Asia

October 20, 2025
Commentary
Vietnam’s Rights Suppression Carries a Heavy Price

Elaine Pearson

Asia Director

Published in: The Japan Times
International Criminal Court

October 17, 2025
Dispatches
Japan Should Defend the International Criminal Court

Haruka Miyata

Associate, Asia Division
LGBT Rights

September 29, 2025
Dispatches
Japan Court Drops Key Legal Hurdle for Transgender People

Kanae Doi

Japan Director

Kyle Knight

Associate Director, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Rights Program

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