A/HRC/22/14 67. On calls for the introduction of a moratorium of the death penalty, Japan indicated that the majority of the Japanese people consider the death penalty to be unavoidable for heinous crimes and that, in a constitutional State, the sentence by the court should be executed impartially. Japan considers that its introduction is not appropriate. 68. On the question of life sentence without parole, Japan noted that there is an opinion that such sentence can be crucial because it can cause despair to the inmate as there is no chance to reduce the sentence and that it can destroy the personality of the inmate. 69. Regarding inmates sentenced to death, Japan believes that confinement in a single room all day and night as the law stipulates is not in violation of their human rights. This was done with a view to ensuring emotional stability of inmates. Inmates on death row had access to chaplains and voluntary visitors, and the law permitted contact with other inmates on death row if necessary and where deemed advantageous. 70. Addressing violence against women is an important issue to overcome to form a gender equal society. Japan referred to new challenges, such as the Internet and mobile phones and indicated that there was close collaboration between the public and the private sector in this regard. Japan mentioned that it had distributed a start-up manual for supporting victims’ self-efficiency to local governments. Japan is strengthening efforts, including through awareness campaigns and activities related to the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women on 25 November. 71. Regarding individual aforementioned position. 72. communications procedures, Japan reiterated its Japan further noted that it had already ratified the CPED. 73. Trinidad and Tobago praised Japan’s commitment following the earthquake there and the partnerships developed to achieve the. It applauded the Third Basic Plan for Gender Equality. It made recommendations. 74. Tunisia commended Japan for its antidiscrimination efforts and its contribution to achieve the Millennium Development Goals. It encouraged Japan to continue efforts to increase its official development assistance (ODA) to the international standard of 0.7 per cent. It made recommendations. 75. Turkey referred to concerns regarding discrimination and violence towards women, despite Japan’s adoption of the Third Basic Plan for Gender Equality. Turkey regretted Japan’s continued application of the death penalty. It made recommendations. 76. Ukraine recognized Japan’s promotion and protection of human rights and its invitation to special procedures. It commended Japan’s gender equality plan. It made recommendations. 77. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland requested Japan to review urgently its death penalty policy and to ratify the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. It welcomed Japan’s decision to establish a National Human Rights Institution. It made recommendations. 78. The United States of America commended Japan efforts to protect human rights during the 2011 tsunami and earthquake reconstruction. It will provide Japan with its full comments in writing on its Mission and State Department websites. It made recommendations. 79. Uruguay underscored Japan’s progress including its standing invitation to the special procedures, the Third Basic Plan for Gender Equality, legislative measures on ill-treatment of children. It made recommendations. 9