January 31, 2025
Japanese Communist Party Executive Committee Chair Tamura Tomoko at a press conference on January 30 demanded that the Japanese government withdraw its countermeasure against the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW).
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs on January 27 informed the United Nations that CEDAW activities will be excluded from the use of Japan’s voluntary contributions to the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). According to the ministry, this is in protest against CEDAW’s recommendation last October to revise the Imperial House Law which stipulates that only “male-lineage males” shall succeed to the throne.
Tamura said, “The Constitution proclaims that the Emperor (Tenno) is the ‘symbol’ of the state and the unity of the people. The people includes both men and women. The JCP believes that the Emperor should not be limited to men. This is an important issue for the promotion of gender equality in Japan.” She pointed out that the government should engage in constructive dialogue with CEDAW even if its view differs from the Committee.
Tamura said, “Japan has refused to have that dialogue and suddenly stopped its funding for CEDAW activities. Not only that, Japan notified CEDAW that it will scrap the program for CEDAW members to visit Japan. This is an unacceptable response.”
Tamura continued to say, “CEDAW issued important recommendations not only on the Imperial House Law but also on the rights of women such as on a selective dual surname system and the ratification of the Optional Protocol to the CEDAW Convention.” She warned that Japan’s countermeasure against the CEDAW recommendation on the Imperial House Law could be a sign that Japan is not willing to listen to all other issues related to gender equality.
Past related articles:
> Japanese gov’t should take CEDAW observations and recommendations seriously [October 31, 2024]
> JCP Secretariate Head Koike: Constitution does not limit Emperor to only male-lineage males [May 18, 2024]
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs on January 27 informed the United Nations that CEDAW activities will be excluded from the use of Japan’s voluntary contributions to the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). According to the ministry, this is in protest against CEDAW’s recommendation last October to revise the Imperial House Law which stipulates that only “male-lineage males” shall succeed to the throne.
Tamura said, “The Constitution proclaims that the Emperor (Tenno) is the ‘symbol’ of the state and the unity of the people. The people includes both men and women. The JCP believes that the Emperor should not be limited to men. This is an important issue for the promotion of gender equality in Japan.” She pointed out that the government should engage in constructive dialogue with CEDAW even if its view differs from the Committee.
Tamura said, “Japan has refused to have that dialogue and suddenly stopped its funding for CEDAW activities. Not only that, Japan notified CEDAW that it will scrap the program for CEDAW members to visit Japan. This is an unacceptable response.”
Tamura continued to say, “CEDAW issued important recommendations not only on the Imperial House Law but also on the rights of women such as on a selective dual surname system and the ratification of the Optional Protocol to the CEDAW Convention.” She warned that Japan’s countermeasure against the CEDAW recommendation on the Imperial House Law could be a sign that Japan is not willing to listen to all other issues related to gender equality.
Past related articles:
> Japanese gov’t should take CEDAW observations and recommendations seriously [October 31, 2024]
> JCP Secretariate Head Koike: Constitution does not limit Emperor to only male-lineage males [May 18, 2024]
