A/HRC/22/14 136. Concerning the Second World War, the Government of Japan indicated that it had expressed deep remorse for having caused tremendous damage and suffering to the people of many countries, particularly those of Asian nations in the past, and expressed its determination to never repeat such a calamitous history at every opportunity including in the “Statements by the Prime Minister”. 137. With regard to discrimination against foreigners in Japan, through the Human Rights Organs of the Ministry of Justice various human rights promotion activities as well as consultation services were being provided. With regard to cases of suspected human rights infringements, investigations are made and appropriate measures taken. 138. Japan reiterated information regarding the submission of the Hague Convention on Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction and the domestic legislation to the Diet. 139. Japan noted that with declining birth rates and an ageing society, its focus is on realizing a gender-equal society. The Third Basic Plan for Gender Equality highlighted, inter alia, elimination of all forms of violence against women, issues affecting women in difficult positions, including foreign women and women with disabilities. 140. Regarding the standards for removal of images on the Internet, Japan indicated that the Human Rights Organs of the Ministry of Justice were in principle asking providers to remove the images, when there was an action which infringed human rights of a specific individual. 141. Japan indicated that spousal violence could constitute a crime such as rape, assault and intimidation under the penal code and such conduct had been punished accordingly. 142. With regard to adolescents’ education on sexually transmitted diseases and HIV, sexual education is provided from third grade of primary up to the third year of high school on the basis of the Courses of Study. The instruction is given also through seminars and guidance to teachers, and educational materials are distributed. 143. On immigration detention, the immigration laws are such that when there is any person detained to a written deportation orders, they had to be sent back immediately. When that was not possible, either for health or other reasons, they might flexibly be released by provisional release. In 2010, the Ministry of Justice and the Bar Association reached an agreement on detention issues to consider more favourable conditions. Japan is making efforts to reduce cases of prolonged detention. 144. With regard to human rights training for public servants, Japan had deepened the awareness and understanding of public servants through regular training sessions. 145. Referring again to the issue of children born out of wedlock, Japan further indicated that all children born from Japanese mothers obtained Japanese nationality. Related to the way of obtaining the Japanese nationality for children born from non-marital Japanese men and foreign women, the Nationality Act was revised in 2008. Even when there was no marital relationship between the mother and father, it was now possible for children up to the age of 20 years to obtain Japanese nationality if the Japanese father acknowledged the child. 146. In concluding, Japan thanked delegations for the questions and constructive comments made during its review. Japan has been actively promoting human rights at the international and national level. At the domestic level, Japan had taken important measures to improve the promotion and protection of human rights, as explained during the review, including by ratifying additional international human rights instruments and working towards the establishment of an independent national human rights institution. 14

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