A/HRC/8/44 Page 11 of Discrimination against Women and the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination and that it ratify the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture. It recommended that Japan consider establishing legislation defining and prohibiting discrimination in all forms and recommended that it consider a standing invitation to the special procedures. 34. The Islamic Republic of Iran indicated that it shared the concerns expressed by United Nations human rights mechanisms on a number of human rights violations in Japan and asked about the concrete measures taken to tackle those problems. It strongly recommended that the Government adopt, as a matter of urgency, a national law against racism, discrimination and xenophobia and set up an independent mechanism for investigating complaints of human rights violations. 35. The United States of America expressed the hope that Japan’s commitment to democracy and the protection and promotion of human rights would serve as an example for others and wished to know what protections the Government has put in place to ensure that abuses do not occur in immigration detention centres. It also asked whether Japan will allow international monitors to examine the immigration detention centres and make recommendations to strengthen protections, and recommended that Japan permit international monitors to examine immigration centres. 36. Germany noted that the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination had expressed concern about the lack of information on the situation of minority women in Japan, the multiple forms of discrimination and the marginalization this group may face with respect to education, employment, health, social welfare and exposure to violence, including within their own communities. It also noted that this Committee had requested Japan to provide disaggregated data on the situation of minority women. Germany asked about the follow-up to this request and recommended that Japan address the problems faced by women belonging to minorities. Germany also made reference to the concerns expressed by the Committee against Torture about the systematic use of the “daiyo kangoku” substitute prison system for the prolonged detention of arrested persons. It also noted that NGOs had expressed concern regarding the non-regulation of the length of interrogations, restricted access of lawyers to their clients, and non-recording of sessions of interrogation. 37. The Republic of Korea noted with satisfaction various legislative developments and commended Japan on its provision of significant financial contributions and technical cooperation. It referred to concerns expressed by various human rights mechanisms about the issue of “comfort women”, which they considered had not been adequately addressed and their recommendations to Japan on this matter. The Republic of Korea called on the Government to respond sincerely to the recommendations of the United Nations mechanisms (Special Rapporteur on violence against women, the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women and the Committee against Torture) on the issue of “comfort women” during the Second World War. It noted with concern the conclusion of the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism that racial discrimination and xenophobia do exist in Japan, in particular against three groups, including the Korean minority. Noting the recommendation in the United Nations report regarding the revision of history textbooks, the Republic of Korea wished to emphasize the importance of correct history education in Japan, which is a crucial factor in fostering future-oriented relations with neighbouring countries. 38. Latvia highlighted in particular Japan’s official development assistance to women’s education, health, economic and social participation and encouraged it to continue its engagement