Japan's human rights policy at domestic and international levels: disconnecting human rights from human security?

Abstract

This article examines the general debate about human security with specific reference to the Japanese government's responses to international debates over human rights. It examines in particular the experiences of a number of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) over the past decade. By taking as a starting point international human rights standards, it illustrates how Japan's responses to the Committee on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination and the World Conference Against Racism suggest that the government in Tokyo is far from complying with international agreements or developing domestic policy in the field of human rights.