A/HRC/37/15 Introduction 1. The Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review, established in accordance with Human Rights Council resolution 5/1, held its twenty-eighth session from 6 to 17 November 2017. The review of Japan was held at the 13th meeting, on 14 November 2017. The delegation of Japan was headed by Yoshifumi Okamura, Representative of the Government of Japan, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary for Human Rights. At its 17th meeting, held on 16 November 2017, the Working Group adopted the report on Japan. 2. On 13 February 2017, the Human Rights Council selected the following group of rapporteurs (troika) to facilitate the review of Japan: Belgium, Qatar and Togo. 3. In accordance with paragraph 15 of the annex to Human Rights Council resolution 5/1 and paragraph 5 of the annex to Council resolution 16/21, the following documents were issued for the review of Japan: (a) A national report submitted/written presentation made in accordance with paragraph 15 (a) (A/HRC/WG.6/28/JPN/1); (b) A compilation prepared by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in accordance with paragraph 15 (b) (A/HRC/WG.6/28/JPN/2); (c) A summary prepared by OHCHR in accordance with paragraph 15 (c) (A/HRC/WG.6/28/JPN/3 and Corr.1). 4. A list of questions prepared in advance by Belgium, Brazil, Germany, Norway, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the United States of America and Uruguay was transmitted to Japan through the troika. These questions are available on the extranet of the universal periodic review. I. Summary of the proceedings of the review process A. Presentation by the State under review 5. Japan had placed importance on fundamental values such as democracy, freedom, human rights and the rule of law for more than 70 years, since the end of the Second World War. 6. Japan put emphasis on the universal periodic review and was honoured to report on the progress in protecting and promoting human rights over the past five years. 7. Japan had concluded the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction, the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and the Trafficking in Persons Protocol. 8. As a member of the Human Rights Council from Asia, Japan had been encouraging human rights protection through the submission of resolutions in the Council and through bilateral dialogues. Japan also continued to actively promote development cooperation. 9. In order to realize “a society in which all women shine”, Japan had formulated the fourth Basic Plan for Gender Equality and the Intensive Policy to Accelerate the Empowerment of Women, had enforced the Act on Promotion of Women’s Participation and Advancement in the Workplace and had held the fourth World Assembly for Women. 10. Japan hoped that the Olympic and Paralympic Games, which would be hosted in Tokyo in 2020, would be an opportunity to foster an inclusive society and was aiming for the realization of a “society with the dynamic engagement of all citizens”. In particular, Japan had enforced the Act for Eliminating Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities. 2