A/HRC/22/14 Introduction 1. The Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review, established in accordance with Human Rights Council resolution 5/1 of 18 June 2007, held its fourteenth session from 22 October to 5 November 2012. The review of Japan was held at the 14th meeting on 31 October 2012. The delegation of Japan was headed by Hideaki Ueda, Ambassador in charge of Human Rights and Humanitarian Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs. At its 17th meeting, held on 2 November 2012, the Working Group adopted the report on Japan. 2. On 3 May 2012, the Human Rights Council selected the following group of rapporteurs (troika) to facilitate the review of Japan: Libya, Peru, and Bangladesh. 3. In accordance with paragraph 15 of the annex to 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.6/14/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.6/14/JPN/2); (c) A summary prepared by OHCHR in accordance with paragraph 15 (c) (A/HRC/WG.6/14/JPN/3). 4. A list of questions prepared in advance by Spain, Mexico, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the Czech Republic, Hungary and Slovenia was transmitted to Japan through the troika. These questions are available on the extranet of the universal periodic review (UPR). I. Summary of the proceedings of the review process A. Presentation by the State under review 5. Japan believes that the UPR was a useful mechanism to promote human rights through dialogue and cooperation with the international community. 6. Japan voluntarily published its follow-up status report in 2011, having given serious consideration to the outcomes of its UPR review in 2008. Japan recognizes the important role played by the civil society in promoting respect for human rights. 7. In 2009, Japan ratified the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance (CPED). Japan recognized the individual communications procedures as a noteworthy mechanism for effectively guaranteeing the implementation of human rights treaties. Japan would continue to seriously consider whether to accept the procedures, while taking into account opinions from various quarters. 8. The Government submitted to the Diet the Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction, also known as the Hague Convention, and its domestic legislation, in view of its significance for the interests of children. It will continue its efforts toward the earliest conclusion of the Convention. 9. In September 2012, Japan withdrew its reservation to the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) provision that reads “in particular by the 3