July 24, 2015
A nonpartisan league of lawmakers urged the Justice Minister on July 23 to take measures to relieve those who are not registered on family registers. Japanese Communist Party parliamentarians Nihi Sohei and Hatano Kimie took part in the representations.
A survey by the Justice Ministry shows that there are 626 people in the country who are not registered due to some special reasons at birth. They are unable to exercise the right to vote as they have no certificate of residence. It is also hard for them to complete various contracts in daily life, including employment contracts.
The written request which the legislators handed to the minister demands that the government upgrade the Justice Ministry’s task force working on this issue to a cross-ministry organization as well as provide non-registered people with helpful information through local governments and convenience stores.
JCP Councilor Nihi said in the representations, “In actuality, there are many more people who do not appear on family registers. The state authorities should work to revise the Civil Code’s anachronistic stipulation concerning legitimacy of birth and the period of time banning women from remarrying.”
JCP Representative Hatano stressed the importance of increasing publicity activities, stating, “Many of the non-registered have been unaware of how to obtain state aid.”
Justice Minister Kamikawa Yoko expressed her intent to step up government efforts to address the issue, saying that this is “a matter of personal dignity”.
A survey by the Justice Ministry shows that there are 626 people in the country who are not registered due to some special reasons at birth. They are unable to exercise the right to vote as they have no certificate of residence. It is also hard for them to complete various contracts in daily life, including employment contracts.
The written request which the legislators handed to the minister demands that the government upgrade the Justice Ministry’s task force working on this issue to a cross-ministry organization as well as provide non-registered people with helpful information through local governments and convenience stores.
JCP Councilor Nihi said in the representations, “In actuality, there are many more people who do not appear on family registers. The state authorities should work to revise the Civil Code’s anachronistic stipulation concerning legitimacy of birth and the period of time banning women from remarrying.”
JCP Representative Hatano stressed the importance of increasing publicity activities, stating, “Many of the non-registered have been unaware of how to obtain state aid.”
Justice Minister Kamikawa Yoko expressed her intent to step up government efforts to address the issue, saying that this is “a matter of personal dignity”.
