A/HRC/8/44 Page 3 Introduction 1. The Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review (UPR), established in accordance with Human Rights Council resolution 5/1 of 18 June 2007, held its second session from 5 to 19 May 2008. The review of Japan was held at the 10th meeting on 9 May 2008. The delegation of Japan was headed by H.E. Mr. Yoshitaka Akimoto, Ambassador in charge of United Nations Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs. For the composition of the delegation, composed of 16 members, see annex below. At its 14th meeting held on 14 May 2008, the Working Group adopted the present report on Japan. 2. On 28 February 2008, the Human Rights Council selected the following group of rapporteurs (troika) to facilitate the review of Japan: Djibouti, France and Indonesia. 3. In accordance with paragraph 15 of the annex to resolution 5/1, the following documents were issued for the review of Japan: (a) A national report submitted in accordance with paragraph 15 (a) (A/HRC/WG.6/2/JPN/1); (b) A compilation prepared by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), in accordance with paragraph 15 (b) (A/HRC/WG.6/2/JPN/2); (c) A summary prepared by OHCHR, in accordance with paragraph 15 (c) (A/HRC/WG.6/2/JPN/3). 4. A list of questions prepared in advance by Denmark, France, Latvia, the Netherlands, Sweden and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and was transmitted to Japan through the troika. These questions are available on the extranet of the UPR. I. SUMMARY OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE REVIEW PROCESS A. Presentation by the State under review 5. At the 10th meeting, on 9 May 2008, Ambassador Yoshitaka Akimoto of Japan introduced the national report and indicated that Japan intended to make a positive contribution towards the improvement of human rights, while taking into consideration each country’s situation, such as its history, traditions, and keeping in mind Japan’s basic approach of “dialogue and cooperation.” Japan noted its strong support of the value of the rule of law and that it became a State party to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court in 2007. 6. Responding to various written questions submitted in advance, Japan stated its willingness to cooperate with Special Rapporteurs, including arranging visits to the country as time permits. Japan was also studying the relationship between the provisions of the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and domestic legislation, including on how the “visits” mentioned in the protocol will be carried out in practice. It stated that it regards the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction and the Convention on Jurisdiction, Applicable Law, Recognition, and Cooperation in respect of Parental Responsibility and Measures for the Protection of Children as effective tools for children’s rights and welfare, and will continue to study the possible conclusion of the two conventions by giving due consideration to, inter alia, the current social system, and the cultural situation of Japan.