ÿWPCc ’Ä ’ÊüCÜÓ/:Ÿ(Eœ”x<Á”‘.dÊÎBÜÂ/[0j²ÝJ³Û Ù  ¬ø«=‹}€0£‘õyËêéêï -¸f(º|½F·gç‹Z»Ý%š‹êk8’rI’Ñé VRI=H‡?Ì—HªÂhlk6Umš*` áóûÇó'aŒnC¥Fïæ$:½óOAw˶%\í{òÙ’.á¾pl¦Ž¤*k†X‚˜9g×æÌBã îÖxI$W6×j?¼G•¿Jó|ŒÃ |þéj/*t^ðçÌ9@Œ—RÛðA¸çù©´¯g…~¿W0þ)à:™G§kD=<:ÞDZbïÃy1~zܤ^ÄËz­ÑnIfÚÂ{ ¨"³š¢IM°õ@áÝj4’D¼ºÏJš¹^gG…‰ìØù> 4õõ2Í õäÞ Ž ÐAffairs,€women€members€of€the€Diet€and€womenððs€groups.€€It€was€due€to€all€those€combined€effortsÐ ' w Ðthat€the€Convention€could€finally€be€ratified.Ð !` ÐÌ236.€€The€representative€of€the€State€party€highlighted€some€of€the€most€important€changes€that€hadÐ â"2! Ðtaken€place€before€the€ratification€of€the€Convention,€including€an€amendment€to€Japanððs€nationalityÐ Ë#" Ðlaw,€a€plan€to€eliminate€the€sex€discrimination€that€was€inherent€in€the€home€economics€education,Ð ´$ # Ðthe€enactment€of€the€Equal€Employment€Opportunity€Law€and€the€amendment€of€other€laws€andÐ %í $ Ðregulations€€protecting€women€workers.€€She€explained€the€endeavours€of€the€Ministry€of€LabourÐ †&Ö!% Ðto€ascertain€progress€in€the€implementation€of€the€laws,€and€enumerated€measures€taken€to€promoteÐ o'¿"& Ðòòde€factoóó€equality,€which€had€not€yet€been€fully€achieved.€€At€the€legal€level,€equality€of€the€sexes€hadÐ X(¨#' Ðbeen€almost€fully€realized.€€Such€measures€included€the€New€National€Plan€of€Action,€which€aimedÐ A)‘$( Ðat€the€more€effective€observance€of€laws€enacted€or€amended€to€further€the€equality€of€men€andÐ **z%) Ðwomen€not€only€òòde€jureóó€but€also€òòde€factoóó,€and€to€that€end€set€as€a€comprehensive€goal€the€ð ðcreationÐ +c&* Ðof€a€society€of€joint€participation€by€both€men€and€womenðð.€€In€spite€of€significant€progress,€thereÐ ü+L'+ Ðwas€still€a€long€way€to€go€and€the€Government€had€resolved€to€continue€its€unflagging€efforts€toÐ å,5(, Ðattain€the€goal.Ð Î-)- ÐÔ_Ô‡237.€€The€members€of€the€Committee€praised€in€particular€the€frank€and€concise€oral€introductionÐ ° Ðto€the€report€and€commended€the€report,€which€followed€the€general€guidelines€in€its€statistical€data.€Ð ™é ÐExperts€underlined€that€Japan€had€made€many€efforts€before€the€ratification€of€the€Convention€toÐ ‚Ò Ðadapt€national€laws€to€its€requirements.€€It€showed€the€strong€commitment€of€the€Government€andÐ k» Ðits€serious€and€honest€endeavours.€€However,€the€Committee€felt€that€the€òòde€factoóó€situation€ofÐ T¤ ÐJapanese€women€lagged€far€behind€the€legal€situation.€€It€noted€that€the€report€did€not€throw€enoughÐ =  Ðlight€on€the€practical€implementation€of€the€laws€and€on€the€factual€situation€of€women.€€The€expertsÐ & v Ðcommented€that€it€was€most€important€(a)€to€recognize€the€existence€of€discrimination,€(b)€to€clarifyÐ  _ Ðthe€obstacles€to€equality€and€(c)€to€start€fighting€against€the€lack€of€òòde€factoóó€equality.€€Therefore,Ð ø H Ðspecial€attention€should€be€paid€in€the€second€report€of€Japan€to€measures€taken€under€article€5€ofÐ á 1  Ðthe€Convention.€€Some€criticism€was€also€put€forward€that€in€Japan,€which€was€at€the€vanguard€ofÐ Ê   Ðtechnology€and€was€one€of€the€first€economic€Powers€in€the€world,€there€was€disparity€between€theÐ ³  Ðextraordinary€technical€and€industrial€progress€that€had€taken€place€and€the€improvement€of€theÐ œì  Ðsituation€of€women.€€The€rate€of€participation€of€women€was€still€rather€low.€€While€appreciationÐ …Õ  Ðwas€expressed€for€the€unites€relating€to€women€within€the€Prime€Ministerððs€Office,€it€was€felt€thatÐ n¾  Ðsuch€a€prosperous€country€could€afford€an€independent€ministry€for€womenððs€affairs.Ð W§  ÐÌ238.€€Experts€stated€that€the€Japanese€example€showed€the€impact€on€women€in€the€country€of€theÐ )y ÐUnited€Nations€Decade€for€Women€and€of€the€Convention.Ð b ÐÌ239.€€Information€was€sought€on€the€effect€of€the€technological€progress€on€the€female€labour€force,Ð ä4 Ðthe€rate€of€female€unemployment€and€vocational€training.€€More€information€was€requested€on€theÐ Í Ðresults€of€the€Expert€Meeting€on€Homemaking€Education€and€on€the€activities€undertaken€duringÐ ¶ Ðthe€Womenððs€Week.Ð Ÿï ÐÌ240.€€Experts€commented€on€the€large€delegation€sent€by€Japan€to€present€the€report€and€commendedÐ qÁ Ðit€for€the€ample€additional€material€it€had€distributed€during€the€session,€in€particular€the€NewÐ Zª ÐNational€Plan€of€Action€Towards€the€Year€2000.€€They€inquired€to€what€extent€the€Convention€wasÐ C“ Ðbeing€disseminated€in€the€country,€whether€it€had€been€translated€and€what€the€reactions€were€of€theÐ ,| Ðpeople,€especially€men.€€The€comment€was€made,€however,€that€the€statistical€handbook€of€JapanÐ e Ðfor€1987,€which€had€been€distributed€as€additional€information,€made€no€specific€reference€toÐ þN Ðwomen.Ð ç 7 ÐÌ241.€€Clarification€was€requested€on€the€function€and€the€structure€of€the€various€local€officesÐ ¹" ! Ðconcerned€with€the€promotion€of€the€status€of€women.€€Members€commented€on€the€thoughtlessÐ ¢#ò" Ðreferences€to€women€made€by€former€Prime€Minister€Nakasone€in€a€television€interview.€€TheyÐ ‹$Û# Ðinquired€about€the€reactions€of€non„governmental€organizations€and€about€any€legal€actions€takenÐ t%Ä $ Ðagainst€him.Ð ]&­!% ÐÌ242.€€It€was€asked€whether€the€Government€had€undertaken€any€serious€measures€to€achieve€equalÐ /(#' Ðtreatment€of€women€in€employment,€and€more€information€was€requested€on€the€equality€of€theÐ )h$( Ðsexes€in€family€life.€€Clarification€was€sought€as€to€whether€in€the€extended€family€the€paternalÐ *Q%) Ðsystem€still€existed,€whether€the€responsibilities€for€doing€gainful€work€and€domestic€work€stillÐ ê*:&* Ðfollowed€traditional€patterns,€whether€men€shared€in€household€work,€whether€domestic€servantsÐ Ó+#'+ Ðwere€frequently€employed€and€who€was€responsible€in€practice€for€decision„making€in€the€family.Ð ¼, (, ÐÔ_ÔÐ ¥-õ(- Ð243.€€The€experts€considered€the€emphasis€put€on€education€and€training€as€a€very€positive€aspect.€Ð ° ÐThey€inquired€whether€specific€programmes€in€social€education€were€oriented€towards€sexualÐ ™é Ðequality.Ð ‚Ò ÐÌ244.€€It€was€asked€whether€any€co„ordination€existed€between€governmental€units€and€non„Ð T¤ Ðgovernmental€organizations€and€what€was€the€most€outstanding€practical€contribution€by€theÐ =  ÐMinistry€of€Labour€to€the€advancement€of€women.Ð & v ÐÌ245.€€With€reference€to€ð ðessentialðð€equality€mentioned€in€the€report,€more€information€was€soughtÐ ø H Ðon€the€concept€of€equality€in€all€spheres€of€life.€€Questions€were€asked€about€the€number€and€typesÐ á 1  Ðof€cases€of€sex€discrimination€in€violation€of€the€Equal€Employment€Opportunity€Law,€andÐ Ê   Ðexplanations€were€sought€on€the€composition€of€the€equal€employment€opportunity€commissions€andÐ ³  Ðon€any€other€procedural€remedies€to€complain€against€discrimination.€€It€was€also€asked€whetherÐ œì  Ðwomen€were€informed€about€their€rights.Ð …Õ  ÐÌ246.€€Experts€asked€about€the€percentage€of€women€in€national€advisory€councils,€as€well€as€aboutÐ W§  Ðthe€number€of€women€who€were€labour€standard€inspectors,€and€who€held€responsible€positions€inÐ @ Ðprefectural€offices.€€They€also€asked€whether€public€employment€was€open€to€women€and€what€theÐ )y Ðlevel€of€female€participation€in€local€government€agencies€was.€€Experts€also€wanted€to€know€theÐ b Ðpurpose€for€improving€womenððs€skills€since€it€seemed€that€often€more€was€required€from€womenÐ ûK Ðthan€from€men.€€Others€asked€how€many€labour€standards€inspectors€were€women€and€whoÐ ä4 Ðappointed€them.Ð Í ÐÌ247.€€Clarifications€was€requested€on€the€study€courses€for€womenððs€issues,€their€contents€and€theÐ Ÿï Ðlength€of€studies,€and€on€the€preparatory€seminars€for€womenððs€working€life.€€It€was€asked€whetherÐ ˆØ Ðmen€were€encouraged€to€attend€them,€and€if€those€seminars€might€simply€perpetuate€existingÐ qÁ Ðstereotypes.Ð Zª ÐÌ248.€€It€was€asked€how€long€the€temporary€special€measures€provided€by€the€vocational€trainingÐ ,| Ðcourses€had€existed€and€how€many€women€had€taken€advantage€of€them.€€Further€information€wasÐ e Ðrequested€on€the€roles€and€positive€results€of€the€maternal€health€management€promoters.€€QuestionsÐ þN Ðwere€raised€about€the€current€targets€of€affirmative€action€programmes€for€women€in€all€levels€ofÐ ç 7 Ðemployment.€€Experts€asked€whether€programmes€had€been€introduced€for€quotas€or€preferentialÐ Ð!   Ðtreatment€to€integrate€women€more€rapidly€in€areas€where€they€were€under„represented.€€It€wasÐ ¹" ! Ðasked€what€types€of€assistance€were€provided€to€women€for€their€re„entry€into€the€labour€market,€atÐ ¢#ò" Ðwhich€levels€re„entry€was€possible€and€what€their€promotion€prospects€were.Ð ‹$Û# ÐÌ249.€€Experts€asked€whether€efforts€to€modify€sex€stereotyping€had€brought€forth€any€results,€whatÐ ]&­!% Ðwas€being€done€to€eliminate€the€idea€that€womenððs€jobs€were€only€supplementary€and€to€what€extentÐ F'–"& Ðmen€were€involved€in€efforts€to€achieve€equality.€€Considering€that€in€Japan€women€and€men€usedÐ /(#' Ðdifferent€types€of€language,€but€that€the€knowledge€of€male€language€was€a€prerequisite€for€womenÐ )h$( Ðwho€wanted€to€pursue€a€professional€career,€it€was€asked€how€women€could€acquire€the€necessaryÐ *Q%) Ðtools€for€competing€in€a€male„dominated€society.€€Information€was€also€sought€on€the€influence€ofÐ ê*:&* Ðreligious€institutions€on€the€situation€of€women.Ð Ó+#'+ ÐÌ250.€€While€the€report€dwelled€on€all€the€social€measures€undertaken€by€the€Government€to€protectÐ ¥-õ(- Ðwomen€as€mothers,€and€the€importance€of€article€5€was€acknowledged,€it€was€commented€that€notÐ ° Ðenough€was€said€on€measures€to€modify€stereotyped€social€and€cultural€patterns€of€conduct.€€It€wasÐ ™é Ðfelt€that€Japan€now€needed€a€strong€commitment€to€identify€traditional€obstacles€and€designÐ ‚Ò Ðprogrammes€to€change€traditional€patterns.€€Questions€were€asked€about€the€portrayal€of€women€inÐ k» Ðthe€mass€media€and€whether€sex„related€job€advertising€was€prohibited.€€Experts€wanted€to€knowÐ T¤ Ðwhether€those€responsible€for€planning€had€any€influence€on€the€media€and€on€modifying€the€imageÐ =  Ðof€women€in€the€media.Ð & v ÐÌ251.€€It€was€asked€who€was€responsible€for€radio€and€television€concessions€and€whether€there€wereÐ ø H Ðcontracts€regarding€such€concessions.€€It€was€asked€whether€government€institutions€mobilizedÐ á 1  Ðwomen€journalists€to€give€publicity€to€womenððs€rights€and€how€women€and€men€reacted€to€the€newÐ Ê   Ðsocial€role€of€women.€Ð ³  ÐÌ252.€€Questions€were€also€raised€about€the€reactions€of€the€public€to€the€new€handbook€on€familyÐ …Õ  Ðeducation,€about€the€practical€results€among€women€of€the€enlightenment€programmes€and€womenððsÐ n¾  Ðreactions€to€the€institutionally€required€activities.Ð W§  ÐÌ253.€€Statistics€were€requested€on€the€number€of€working€fathers€attending€the€parent€educationÐ )y Ðclasses.Ð b ÐÌ254.€€Experts€asked€what€was€meant€by€the€reference€in€the€report€to€ð ðsimpleðð€prostitution,€whetherÐ ä4 Ðthe€law€against€prostitution€contained€punitive€measures€against€men,€and€how€the€law€prohibitingÐ Í Ðprostitution€was€enforced.€€They€also€inquired€whether€rape€was€regarded€as€a€criminal€offence,Ð ¶ Ðwhether€it€was€practised€in€rural€areas€by€fathers€on€their€daughters.€€Not€enough€attention€was€paidÐ Ÿï Ðby€the€authorities€to€the€issues€of€domestic€violence€and€sexual€harassment,€and€information€wasÐ ˆØ Ðrequested€on€relief€centres€for€battered€women.€€Experts€also€commented€on€sex€tourism€andÐ qÁ Ðinquired€about€the€role€of€geishas€in€Japanese€society.Ð Zª ÐÌ255.€€Concerning€the€participation€of€women€in€politics,€it€was€noted€that€the€number€of€women€inÐ ,| Ðdecision„making€positions€and€the€percentage€of€women€in€the€Diet€was€rather€small,€yet€in€mostÐ e Ðelections€the€turn„out€of€women€was€higher€than€for€men.€€Experts€asked€if€there€were€any€positiveÐ þN Ðaction€programmes€to€change€the€situation.€€It€was€observed€that€the€number€of€women€whoÐ ç 7 Ðrepresented€the€country€overseas€was€higher€than€the€number€of€women€held€political€positionsÐ Ð!   Ðinside€the€country.Ð ¹" ! ÐÌ256.€€It€was€asked€whether€political€parties€and€the€trade€unions€had€special€programmes€to€advanceÐ ‹$Û# Ðthe€equal€participation€of€women,€whether€womenððs€organizations€were€oriented€towards€feministÐ t%Ä $ Ðissues€or€welfare,€whether€they€could€obtain€grants€or€subsidies€and€what€the€rate€of€femaleÐ ]&­!% Ðparticipation€in€trade€unions€was.€€Experts€were€also€especially€interested€to€learn€whether€womenððsÐ F'–"& Ðorganizations€had€been€consulted€about€the€Convention€and€the€Governmentððs€report€to€theÐ /(#' ÐCommittee.Ð )h$( ÐÌ257.€€Praise€was€expressed€for€the€amended€nationality€law€but€more€information€was€sought€on€it.Ð ê*:&* ÐÌ258.€€Experts€commented€on€the€different€degrees€of€involvement€in€higher€education€of€men€andÐ ¼, (, Ðwomen€and€on€the€sex„differentiated€choices€of€study€and€profession.€€They€asked€whether€textÐ ¥-õ(- ÐÔ_Ôbooks€or€curricula€gave€any€educational€guidance€and€whether€the€sex„related€differences€inÐ ° Ðhomemaking€courses€still€prevailed.€€It€was€also€asked€whether€there€existed€any€affirmative€actionÐ ™é Ðprogrammes€for€professional€or€vocational€guidance.Ð ‚Ò ÐÌ259.€€It€was€observed€that€women€were€still€highly€disadvantaged€compared€with€men€inÐ T¤ Ðrecruitment,€promotion€and€wages.€€Satisfaction€was€expressed€concerning€the€recent€reduction€ofÐ =  Ðprotective€legislation.€€It€was€further€asked€to€which€occupations€the€1986€guidelines€applied€as€theÐ & v Ðreport€mentioned€that€they€did€not€apply€to€"occupations€whose€nature€precluded€their€application",Ð  _ Ðand€which€types€of€work€were€still€restricted.€€It€was€observed€that€the€report€on€wages€referred€onlyÐ ø H Ðto€equal€pay€for€the€same€work€and€experts€wanted€to€know€how€the€principle€of€equal€pay€for€workÐ á 1  Ðof€equal€value€was€implemented€in€practice.€€It€was€further€observed€that€womenððs€starting€salariesÐ Ê   Ðwere€always€lower€than€menððs€despite€the€same€educational€requirements.€€Experts€requestedÐ ³  Ðstatistical€data€and€examples€of€wage€differentials€between€male„and€female„dominated€jobs.€€TheyÐ œì  Ðinquired€about€hidden€unemployment€among€women€and€sought€an€explanation€for€the€drastic€dropÐ …Õ  Ðin€the€rate€of€participation€in€the€labour€force€of€women€in€the€25€to€29€age€bracket,€which€contrastedÐ n¾  Ðwith€the€increase€in€the€rate€of€participation€of€men€in€the€same€age€bracket.€€It€was€asked€what€wasÐ W§  Ðmeant€when€the€report€mentioned€that€women€were€treated€more€generously€than€men€in€the€socialÐ @ Ðsecurity€system.€€The€fact€that€the€same€retirement€age€applied€to€women€and€men€was€commended.Ð )y ÐÌ260.€€Experts€asked€what€the€normal€working€hours€were€for€women€and€men,€whether€maternityÐ ûK Ðleave€was€paid€at€100€per€cent,€whether€the€provisions€referring€to€maternity€leave€were€the€sameÐ ä4 Ðfor€the€public€and€the€private€sectors€and€whether€the€introduction€of€paternity€leave€was€in€any€wayÐ Í Ðforeseen.€€They€felt€that€the€child„care€leave€should€exist€equally€for€fathers.€€The€expertsÐ ¶ Ðunderscored€the€importance€of€the€advancement€of€a€good€social€infrastructure.€€Concerning€childÐ Ÿï Ðday„care€facilities,€it€was€asked€what€their€opening€hours€were€and€whether€the€operation€of€day„careÐ ˆØ Ðfacilities€was€mandatory€for€employers.Ð qÁ ÐÌ261.€€Clarification€was€sought€on€the€types€of€jobs€incorporated€in€marine€employment.Ð C“ ÐÌ262.€€The€table€referring€to€health€guidance€for€expectant€mothers€was€commented€on€and€it€wasÐ e Ðasked€why€the€number€of€women€who€visited€health€centres€to€receive€guidance€was€much€higherÐ þN Ðin€1975€and€1980€than€in€1986.€€It€was€asked€whether€mother€and€child€health€care€were€free€ofÐ ç 7 Ðcharge,€whether€health€education€came€under€the€authority€of€the€Ministry€for€Public€Health€andÐ Ð!   Ðwhether€such€facilities€existed€in€public€and€private€enterprises.Ð ¹" ! ÐÌ263.€€More€details€were€sought€on€family„planning€measures€and€on€sex€education€facilities€andÐ ‹$Û# Ðprogrammes,€and€it€was€asked€whether€abortion€was€allowed€and€what€the€attitude€of€society€wasÐ t%Ä $ Ðòòvis„a„visóó€single€mothers.Ð ]&­!% ÐÌ264.€€More€information€was€requested€on€the€tax€system€in€Japan€and€whether€it€could€be€said€toÐ /(#' Ðencourage€or€punish€married€women€who€wished€to€take€up€gainful€occupation.Ð )h$( ÐÌ265.€€Considering€that€the€percentage€of€women€engaged€in€agriculture€was€much€higher€than€thatÐ ê*:&* Ðof€men,€it€was€asked€whether€the€extension€of€workers€gave€enough€guidance€and€training€to€women.Ð Ó+#'+ ÐÌ266.€€Concerning€the€choice€of€family€name,€statistics€were€requested€on€the€number€of€men€Ô_ÔwhoÐ ¥-õ(- Ðchoose€their€wifeððs€name.€€It€was€asked€whether€any€legal€provisions€forbade€women€to€change€theirÐ ° Ðname€upon€marriage,€whether€the€husband€had€to€retain€his€name€and€what€the€regulations€were€forÐ ™é Ðthe€name€of€children€from€within€wedlock€and€whether€the€legal€situation€of€children€born€withinÐ ‚Ò Ðor€outside€wedlock€was€different.Ð k» ÐÌ267.€€Experts€asked€about€the€legal€grounds€for€divorce€and€asked€why€there€was€still€a€time„limitÐ =  Ðfor€remarriage€after€divorce€and€why€it€was€different€for€men€and€women.Ð & v ÐÌ268.€€The€representative€of€Japan,€in€reply€to€questions€raised€by€members€of€the€Committee,€saidÐ ø H Ðthat€the€meaning€of€ð ðessential€equalityðð€in€her€countryððs€report€was€that€under€the€Constitution€allÐ á 1  Ðpeople€were€equal€under€the€law€and€that€there€would€be€no€discrimination€in€the€political,€economicÐ Ê   Ðor€social€fields.Ð ³  ÐÌ269.€€Prefectural€womenððs€and€young€workersðð€offices€helped€resolve€individual€disputes€betweenÐ …Õ  Ðwomen€workers€and€employers€under€the€Equal€Employment€Opportunity€Law.€€The€EqualÐ n¾  ÐOpportunity€Mediation€Commission€set€up€in€each€prefectural€office€and€the€Equal€EmploymentÐ W§  ÐOpportunity€Law€€were€part€of€the€many€measures€recently€promulgated€by€the€Government€toÐ @ Ðimprove€the€status€of€women,€as€had€been€done€since€the€1947€creation€of€the€Womenððs€Bureau.€Ð )y ÐThe€Commission€was€composed€of€three€members€who€were€appointed€by€the€Minister€of€Labour.Ð b ÐThe€Ministry€of€Labour€had€publicized€the€objects€and€content€of€the€law.Ð ûK ÐÌ270.€€The€headquarters€for€the€Planning€and€Promoting€of€Policies€Relating€to€Women,€created€inÐ Í Ð1975,€was€headed€by€the€Prime€Minister€and€was€composed€of€vice„ministers€from€all€the€ministries.€Ð ¶ ÐThe€secretariat€of€this€headquarters€was€the€Office€for€Womenððs€Affairs.€€She€provided€theÐ Ÿï ÐCommittee€with€a€comprehensive€description€of€these€bodies,€their€composition,€functions,Ð ˆØ Ðprogrammes€and€mandates.Ð qÁ ÐÌ271.€€There€were€no€governmental€affirmative€action€programmes€in€Japan€and€no€quota€systemsÐ C“ Ðin€employment€or€in€political€life.€€However,€a€target€of€15€per€cent€had€been€set€for€womenððsÐ ,| Ðparticipation€in€national€advisory€councils€in€the€year€2000.€€The€main€obstacles€to€full€equalÐ e Ðopportunity€were€fixed€notions€about€womenððs€abilities€and€the€stereotyped€role€differentiationÐ þN Ðbetween€men€and€women,€which€was€deeply€rooted€in€Japanese€society,€as€well€as€the€heavy€burdenÐ ç 7 Ðof€family€responsibilities€shouldered€by€women.Ð Ð!   ÐÌ272.€€The€text€of€the€Convention€had€been€translated€into€Japanese€and€distributed€nationwideÐ ¢#ò" Ðtogether€with€an€explanatory€brochure.€€Municipal€government€was€also€involved€in€meeting€theÐ ‹$Û# Ðaims€of€the€Convention€and€had€offered€courses€for€women€on€consumer€education,€child€care,Ð t%Ä $ Ðcivics,€vocational€orientation,€health€and€safety,€family€life€and€household€affairs.€€The€Ministry€ofÐ ]&­!% ÐEducation€had€also€encouraged€the€establishment€of€parentsðð€education€classes€for€both€sexes€as€wellÐ F'–"& Ðas€stimulated€the€participation€of€men€in€social€education€classes.€€This€was€notably€important.€€AsÐ /(#' Ðat€1985,€nuclear€families€constituted€60€per€cent€of€the€total€number€of€families,€while€extendedÐ )h$( Ðfamilies€constituted€15€per€cent.€€It€was€difficult€to€judge€whether€the€average€person€in€Japan€wasÐ *Q%) Ðsatisfied€with€the€efforts€and€the€reforms,€at€least€the€awareness€of€the€importance€of€equalityÐ ê*:&* Ðbetween€men€and€women€had€been€enhanced,€even€if€it€had€not€made€everyone€happy.Ð Ó+#'+ ÐÌ273.€€With€regard€to€the€general€questions€of€economic€development,€technological€innovations€andÐ ¥-õ(- Ðthe€status€of€women,€the€representative€pointed€out€that€there€still€existed€a€disparity€between€theÐ ° Ðeconomic€situation€of€Japan€in€the€world€and€the€status€of€women.€€It€was€indispensable€for€womenÐ ™é Ðto€realize€their€potential€as€individuals€and,€therefore,€the€participation€of€women€in€policy„andÐ ‚Ò Ðdecision„making€would€be€expanded.Ð k» ÐÌ274.€€The€distribution€of€the€Convention€mentioned€above€also€meant€that€the€mass€media€had€beenÐ =  Ðaware€of€its€ratification.€€This€had€Ô_ÔhadÔ_Ô€a€positive€impact€on€the€manner€in€which€women€were€treatedÐ & v Ðin€magazines€and€newspapers,€on€television€and€radio.€€Public€information€campaigns€wereÐ  _ Ðconducted€at€every€opportunity,€such€as€for€example€Womenððs€Week,€Equal€EmploymentÐ ø H ÐOpportunity€Month€and€Human€Rights€Week.€€With€regard€to€the€influence€of€religious€institutions,Ð á 1  Ðreligion€in€Japan€was€separate€from€daily€social€life.Ð Ê   ÐÌ275.€€Under€article€175€of€the€Penal€Code,€the€distribution€of€obscene€literature€was€strictlyÐ œì  Ðforbidden.€€Sexual€harassment€and€domestic€violence€where€it€existed€could€be€handled€by€womenððsÐ …Õ  Ðconsultative€offices€at€each€prefecture€where€victimized€women€could€seek€assistance.€€TheÐ n¾  Ðrepresentative€also€provided€information€statistics€on€the€amount€of€time€spent€by€women€onÐ W§  Ðhousehold€duties€in€comparison€with€men.Ð @ ÐÌ276.€€Sex€education€was€provided€in€school€so€that€children€would€have€scientific€information€aboutÐ b Ðsex€and€sound€views€on€relations€between€the€sexes.€€The€principle€underlying€sex€education€wasÐ ûK Ðthe€dignity€of€every€individual.€€Many€men€were€reading€parent€education€handbooks,€whichÐ ä4 Ðindicated€that€men€were€making€efforts€to€participate€in€child€care€and€to€share€in€household€chores.Ð Í ÐÌ277.€€Simple€prostitution,€i.e.€acts€of€prostitution€themselves,€was€prohibited€but€not€penalized€asÐ Ÿï Ðorganized€prostitution€was.€€It€could€be€said€that€customers€should€be€penalized,€but€it€was€arguedÐ ˆØ Ðthat€since€women€who€engaged€in€simple€prostitution€were€not€penalized,€neither€should€theirÐ qÁ Ðcustomers€be.€€For€women€who€resorted€to€prostitution€because€of€character€or€of€circumstances,Ð Zª Ðrehabilitation€and€guidance€were€available.€€The€law€provided€for€penalties€for€a€variety€of€actsÐ C“ Ðpromoting€prostitution,€such€as€soliciting.Ð ,| ÐÌ278.€€Regarding€womenððs€involvement€in€government€and€public€life,€there€was€no€previousÐ þN Ðtradition€of€experience€in€the€matter€and€the€role€of€women€was€still€small;€however,€it€had€graduallyÐ ç 7 Ðbegun€to€rise.€€The€percentage€of€women€executives€in€trade€unions€was€now€10€per€cent.€€WomenððsÐ Ð!   Ðorganizations€were€important€in€this€process.€€Some€were€philanthropic€in€nature,€but€other€groupsÐ ¹" ! Ðwere€political€and€had€been€actively€involved€in€the€ratification€of€the€Convention.€€Some€hadÐ ¢#ò" Ðundertaken€projects€with€social€and€public€significance€that€were€financed€by€the€Ministry€ofÐ ‹$Û# ÐEducation.Ð t%Ä $ ÐÌ279.€€With€regard€to€womenððs€participation€in€international€conferences,€there€were€womenÐ F'–"& Ðrepresentatives€in€a€variety€of€forums,€such€as€the€United€Nations€Commission€on€TransnationalÐ /(#' ÐCorporations,€the€Disarmament€Commission€and€the€International€Labour€Organisation.€€ManyÐ )h$( Ðyoung€women€were€also€detached€to€other€committees€of€the€United€Nations€and,€as€time€went€on,Ð *Q%) Ðthey€would€be€more€visible.Ð ê*:&* ÐÌ280.€€The€representative€explained€the€revision€of€the€law€on€nationality€that€had€taken€place.€Ð ¼, (, ÐAt€the€moment,€a€child€born€of€a€mixed€nationality€marriage€acquired€Japanese€nationality€if€eitherÐ ¥-õ(- Ðthe€father€or€the€mother€was€a€Japanese€citizen.Ð ° ÐÌ281.€€Courses€other€than€home€economics€were€open€equally€to€boys€and€girls.€€General€homeÐ ‚Ò Ðeconomics€was€still€compulsory€for€girls€but€not€for€boys€in€upper€secondary€schools,€but€299€publicÐ k» Ðschools,€or€7.2€per€cent€of€the€total€number,€taught€general€home€economics€for€boys.€€The€ð ðcourseÐ T¤ Ðof€studyðð€would€be€revised€to€ensure€an€equal€opportunity€for€boys€and€girls€to€take€home€economicsÐ =  Ðin€lower€and€upper€secondary€schools.Ð & v ÐÌ282.€€Students€who€wished€to€go€on€to€institutions€of€higher€education€were€not€subjected€toÐ ø H Ðdiscrimination€on€the€basis€of€sex.€€The€Ministry€of€Education€and€local€boards€of€education€directedÐ á 1  Ðschools€under€their€jurisdiction€to€develop€in€their€students€an€awareness€of€the€equal€ability€of€menÐ Ê   Ðand€women€in€all€areas€of€educational€activity.Ð ³  ÐÌ283.€€Regarding€employment,€the€representative€gave€further€information€on€issues€raised€by€theÐ …Õ  ÐCommittee.€€It€was€true€in€the€past€women€tended€to€withdraw€from€the€labour€market€at€times€ofÐ n¾  Ðrecession€and€returned€when€the€recession€lifted.€€However,€an€increasing€number€of€women€wereÐ W§  Ðnow€remaining€permanently€in€the€labour€market,€either€by€finding€recession„proof€jobs€or€byÐ @ Ðsecuring€new€jobs.€€She€also€gave€examples€of€recent€progress€in€the€field€of€employment€such€asÐ )y Ða€considerable€decline€in€ð ðmen€onlyðð€job€advertising.€€With€regard€to€equal€pay€for€work€of€equalÐ b Ðvalue,€that€goal€was€not€yet€achieved€and€there€were€no€statistics€on€wage€differentials€betweenÐ ûK Ðfemale„dominated€and€male„dominated€jobs.€€The€percentage€of€part„time€workers€was€higher€forÐ ä4 Ðwomen€than€for€men,€a€majority€of€part„time€workers€worked€short€hours€because€they€liked€to€shareÐ Í Ðthe€time€between€their€family€responsibilities€and€their€jobs.€€Subsidies€were€given€to€employers€toÐ ¶ Ðimprove€their€child„care€facilities€under€the€Childrenððs€Allowance€Law.€€She€also€explained€theÐ Ÿï Ðresult€and€purposes€of€the€maternal€health€management€promoters.€€Although€some€people€still€heldÐ ˆØ ÐÔ_ÔbiasedÔ_Ô€views€on€single€mothers,€the€prejudices,€in€her€opinion,€were€diminishing€and€single€mothersÐ qÁ Ðhad€access€to€maternity„and€child„health€services€and€family€allowances.€€Women€in€general€couldÐ Zª Ðvisit€health€centres€to€receive€guidance€as€often€as€they€wished.€€Regarding€paternity€leave,€theÐ C“ ÐGovernment€would€welcome€it€if€individual€enterprises€voluntary€introduced€such€a€system;€JapanÐ ,| Ðhad€not€ratified€Convention€156€of€the€International€Labour€Organisation.€€The€awareness€of€birthÐ e Ðcontrol€was€widespread€through€sex€education,€and€the€knowledge€of€contraception€by€the€Ô_ÔOginoÔ_ÔÐ þN Ðmethod€was€quite€large€in€Japan.Ð ç 7 ÐÌ284.€€The€income€tax€system€encouraged€rather€than€punished€women€who€wanted€to€work,€sinceÐ ¹" ! Ðtaxes€were€levied€separately.Ð ¢#ò" ÐÌ285.€€In€reply€to€several€questions€regarding€rural€women,€the€representative€stated€thatÐ t%Ä $ Ðmodernization€had€now€brought€about€an€improvement€of€womenððs€working€conditions€and€statusÐ ]&­!% Ðin€farm€households.€€They€were€a€strong€force€in€decision„making.€€Of€the€4,376,000€farmÐ F'–"& Ðhouseholds€in€Japan,€14€per€cent€were€dependent€entirely€on€their€production,€while€86€per€cent€wereÐ /(#' Ðpart„time€producers.€€The€latter€consisted€mostly€of€women€whose€husbands€worked€in€non„Ð )h$( Ðagricultural€jobs.€€Agricultural€work€in€Japan€was€not€done€exclusively€by€men,€but€was€greatlyÐ *Q%) Ðsupported€by€women.Ð ê*:&* ÐÌ286.€€Extension€workers€were€divided€into€two€categories:€€some€taught€farmers,€regardless€of€sex,Ð ¼, (, Ðagricultural€production€techniques€and€farm€management;€others€helped€farm€households€to€improveÐ ¥-õ(- Ðtheir€living€standards.Ð ° ÐÌ287.€€She€assured€members€of€the€Committee€that€article€733€of€the€Civil€Code€regarding€the€rightÐ ‚Ò Ðfor€women€to€remarriage€after€divorce€would€be€studied€in€the€future,€as€stated€in€the€report.€€SheÐ k» Ðadmitted€that€it€might€be€argued€that€the€provision€could€result€in€discrimination€against€women.Ð T¤ ÐÌ288.€€The€representative€finally€expressed€her€sincere€gratitude€to€members€of€the€Committee€forÐ & v Ðall€the€questions€asked€which€showed€a€keen€interest€in€Japan€and€commitment€to€the€advancementÐ  _ Ðof€women.€€Although€progress€towards€achieving€òòde€factoóó€equality€might€seem€slow,€she€assuredÐ ø H Ðthe€Committee€that€Japan€would€continue€its€efforts€to€attain€the€ð ðcommon€goalðð.Ð á 1  ÐÌ289.€€Members€of€the€Committee€expressed€their€appreciation€for€the€comprehensive€repliesÐ ³  Ðfurnished€in€only€24€hours€and€congratulated€the€representative€on€her€efforts€and€foresight.€€TheÐ œì  Ðexperts€stated€that€they€would€be€looking€forward€to€Japanððs€second€report€and€wished€theÐ …Õ  Ðrepresentative€success€in€her€national€endeavours.Ð  n¾  Ðò òÔ_ÔCEDAWÔ_Ô€€A/49/38€(1994)ó óÐ ° ÐÌÌÔUSUK.,Ô546.€€The€Committee€considered€the€second€and€third€periodic€reports€of€Japan€(Ô_ÔCEDAWÔ_Ô/C/Ô_ÔJPNÔ_Ô/2Ð l¼ Ðand€Ô_ÔCEDAWÔ_Ô/C/Ô_ÔJPNÔ_Ô/3)€at€its€248th€and€249th€meetings,€on€27€and€28€January€(seeÐ U¥ ÐÔ_ÔCEDAWÔ_Ô/C/SR.248€and€249).Ð > Ž ÐÌ547.€€In€presenting€the€report,€the€representative€of€Japan€underlined€the€importance€that€herÐ  ` ÐGovernment€attached€to€the€monitoring€role€of€the€Committee€and€pointed€out€that€the€change€inÐ ù I Ðgovernment€in€her€country€in€August€1993€had€led€to€epoch-making€changes€with€respect€to€theÐ â 2  Ðstatus€of€women,€in€particular€with€regard€to€the€participation€of€women€in€policy€decision-makingÐ Ë   Ðin€various€fields.€€As€examples€she€mentioned€the€appointment€of€three€women€Cabinet€ministers,Ð ´  Ðof€a€woman€as€Supreme€Court€justice€for€the€first€time€ever€and€of€the€first€woman€Speaker€of€theÐ í  ÐHouse€of€Representatives.€€Copies€of€the€two€reports€had€been€widely€distributed€among€membersÐ †Ö  Ðof€the€Diet,€political€parties,€major€women's€organizations€and€journalists.€€In€drafting€the€thirdÐ o¿  Ðreports,€views€of€non-governmental€organizations€were€also€taken€into€account€and€the€AdvisoryÐ X¨  ÐCouncil€to€the€Prime€Minister€had€been€consulted.Ð A‘ ÐÌ548.€€The€main€features€of€the€current€situation€of€women€in€Japan€were€the€progressive€ageing€ofÐ c Ðthe€female€population,€a€decrease€in€the€number€of€births,€a€trend€towards€higher€educationalÐ üL Ðattainment,€the€tendency€of€women€to€marry€at€a€later€age€and€an€increase€in€the€number€of€workingÐ å5 Ðwomen.€€Women€occupied€prominent€positions€in€the€Administration,€the€judiciary€and€theÐ Î Ðlegislature.€€The€rate€of€female€membership€in€the€Diet€was€6.8€per€cent€and€in€national€advisoryÐ · Ðbodies€it€was€10.7€per€cent.€€The€proportion€of€women€filling€managerial€posts€in€the€public€andÐ  ð Ðprivate€sectors€had€also€been€increasing.€€The€representative€highlighted€the€major€achievementsÐ ‰Ù Ðsince€the€consideration€of€Japan's€initial€report€in€the€areas€of€education,€employment€andÐ r Ðagriculture.€€She€spoke€of€the€plans€for€enhancing€the€authority€of€the€national€machinery€by€raisingÐ [« Ðits€membership€to€the€ministerial€level€and€appointing€an€Equal€PartiÔ_ÔcipationÔ_Ô€Coordinator€with€theÐ D” Ðrank€of€Director-General€in€every€ministry€and€agency.Ð -} ÐÌ549.€€Harmonization€of€work€and€family€responsibility€was€of€great€importance€to€attaining€de€factoÐ ÿO Ðequality.€€That€was€why€the€Child-care€Leave€Law€had€been€put€into€force€and€subsidies€given€toÐ è 8 Ðemployers€to€set€up€and€run€child-care€facilities.€€In€the€Japanese€civil€service€women€were€free€toÐ Ñ!!  Ðtake€entrance€examinations€in€every€job€category.€€In€1989€Japan€had€revised€the€rules€as€to€whichÐ º" ! Ðcountry's€laws€applied€in€private€international€law€cases,€so€as€to€establish€full€equality€of€the€sexesÐ £#ó" Ðbefore€the€law€with€respect€to€international€marriages€and€adoptions.€€She€explained€that€sinceÐ Œ$Ü# ÐJanuary€1991€the€provisions€in€the€Civil€Code€regarding€marriage€and€divorce€had€been€in€theÐ u%Å $ Ðprocess€of€being€reviewed.€€Local€governments€had€been€very€active€in€promoting€measures€relatingÐ ^&®!% Ðto€women€since€the€ratification€of€the€Convention€and€the€community€of€non-governmentalÐ G'—"& Ðorganizations€was€very€active€in€Japan.€€The€representative€said€that€òòde€jureóó€equality€had€almost€beenÐ 0(€#' Ðattained;€however,€customs€deeply€rooted€in€stereotypes€and€the€poor€representation€of€women€inÐ )i$( Ðthe€decision-making€process€prevented€women€from€achieving€full€de€facto€equality.Ð *R%) ÐÌòòÌÌGeneral€observationsóóÐ ¦-ö(- Ї550.€€Members€congratulated€the€Government€for€the€progress€made€in€advancing€the€status€ofÐ ° Ðwomen,€especially€with€regard€to€the€big€strides€made€in€a€short€time,€considering€the€veryÐ ™é Ðtraditional€nature€of€the€society.€€They€commended€the€authors€of€the€two€reports€for€havingÐ ‚Ò Ðfollowed€the€Committee's€guidelines€and€for€having€replied€in€the€second€report€to€the€questions€thatÐ k» Ðhad€not€been€answered€during€the€consideration€of€the€initial€report.Ð T¤ ÐÌ551.€€Regarding€the€remaining€obstacles€that€still€limited€the€advancement€of€women,€theÐ & v Ðrepresentative€mentioned€stereotypes€about€the€roles€of€women€and€men€in€all€spheres€of€life€as€theÐ  _ Ðprincipal€cause€of€persistent€problems.€€A€major€barrier€to€the€participation€of€women€in€economicÐ ø H Ðlife€was€insufficient€support€for€the€reconciliation€of€work€and€family€responsibilities.€€It€was,€ofÐ á 1  Ðcourse,€not€possible€to€change€the€attitudes€of€people€in€a€short€time.Ð Ê   ÐÌ552.€€In€additional€comments€members€commended€the€extensive€replies€given€to€the€questionsÐ œì  Ðprepared€by€the€pre-session€Working€Group€and€they€appreciated€the€fact€that€in€the€preparation€ofÐ …Õ  Ðthe€report€non-governmental€organizations€had€been€consulted.€€Members€acknowledged€havingÐ n¾  Ðreceived€a€large€number€of€counter-reports€from€non-governmental€organizations.€€That€proved€theÐ W§  Ðdemocratic€attitude€of€the€Government€and€showed€that€women€in€Japan€were€mobilizingÐ @ Ðthemselves.€€However,€members€felt€that€the€Government€should€be€more€attentive€to€observationsÐ )y Ðmade€by€non-governmental€organizations,€in€particular€with€regard€to€the€personnel€managementÐ b Ðsystems€affecting€women's€employment,€and€the€issues€of€violence€against€women€and€prostitution.Ð ûK ÐÌ553.€€Members€considered€that€the€status€of€women€in€Japan€was€not€commensurate€with€the€levelÐ Í Ðof€economic€development€of€the€country.€€Women€had€made€a€valuable€contribution€to€the€country'sÐ ¶ Ðeconomic€success€without€having€been€given€an€adequate€position€in€all€spheres€of€life.€€Yet,€in€theÐ Ÿï Ðcurrent€recession,€they€were€the€first€ones€to€suffer.€€Given€the€opportunity,€women€would€make€aÐ ˆØ Ðsignificant€contribution€to€the€political,€social€and€cultural€development€of€their€country.Ð qÁ ÐÌ554.€€Regarding€the€reports,€members€felt€that€they€referred€only€to€the€positive€changes.€€AlthoughÐ C“ Ðthey€contained€much€valuable€statistical€data,€there€was€no€analysis€of€the€obstacles€to€theÐ ,| Ðadvancement€of€women.€€It€would€have€been€appreciated€if€the€Government€had€prepared€its€thirdÐ e Ðreport€after€the€Committee's€session€and€had€taken€the€Committee's€comments€into€consideration.Ð þN ÐÌ555.€€It€was€said€that€the€Government,€as€a€large€donor€country,€ought€to€direct€its€officialÐ Ð!   Ðdevelopment€assistance€towards€helping€to€enhance€the€status€of€women€in€recipient€countries.Ð ¹" ! ÐÌ556.€€In€concluding,€the€representative€said€that€she€would€convey€all€the€comments€made€byÐ ‹$Û# Ðmembers€of€the€Committee€to€the€Government€in€an€effort€to€improve€the€situation.Ð t%Ä $ ÐÌòòQuestions€related€to€specific€articlesóóÐ F'–"& ÐÌòòArticle€2óóÐ )h$( ÐÌ557.€€Asked€about€instances€of€discrimination€against€women€and€the€legislative€and€other€measuresÐ ê*:&* Ðthat€had€been€taken€to€put€an€end€to€such€discrimination,€the€representative€enumerated€fiveÐ Ó+#'+ Ðinstances:€€the€obligation€for€women€to€retire€at€an€earlier€age€than€men;€the€provision€of€dormitoryÐ ¼, (, Ðhousing€for€men,€but€not€for€women;€the€exclusion€of€women€workers€from€training€Ô_ÔprogrammesÔ_ÔÐ ¥-õ(- Ðat€factories;€the€recruitment€of€men€as€regular,€but€women€as€temporary,€employees;€and€theÐ ° Ðpromotion€of€men€over€women€in€identical€positions€despite€shorter€records€of€service.€€In€all€thoseÐ ™é Ðinstances,€appropriate€judicial€and€administrative€measures€had€been€taken€to€correct€the€injustices.€Ð ‚Ò ÐIn€other€cases,€such€as€complaints€that€only€men€were€recruited€for€positions€requiring€technicalÐ k» Ðskills,€that€women€were€not€promoted€on€an€equal€basis€with€men€and€that€in€the€area€of€recruitmentÐ T¤ Ðthere€was€discriminatory€treatment€of€female€students€as€a€result€of€the€recession€currently€grippingÐ =  ÐJapan,€discriminatory€treatment€continued.€€The€Equal€Employment€Opportunity€Law€and€theÐ & v ÐÔ_ÔLabourÔ_Ô€Standards€Law€were€currently€under€review€with€a€view€to€achieving€equal€employmentÐ  _ Ðopportunity€and€treatment€for€men€and€women.Ð ø H ÐÌ558.€€There€were€also€instances€of€discriminatory€customs€and€practices€in€areas€other€thanÐ Ê   Ðemployment€owing€to€stereotypes€regarding€gender€roles;€however,€their€number€was€declining.Ð ³  ÐÌ559.€€In€reply€to€the€question€whether€the€law€relating€to€equal€opportunity€provided€penalties,€theÐ …Õ  Ðrepresentative€stated€that€gender-based€wage€discrimination€was€a€punishable€offence.€€Breaches€ofÐ n¾  Ðequal€opportunity€and€treatment€in€private-sector€employment,€except€for€wages,€were€dealt€withÐ W§  Ðthrough€administrative€guidance€following€investigations€made€by€the€Ministry€of€Ô_ÔLabourÔ_Ô.€€InÐ @ Ðadditional€comments,€members€said€that€the€Equal€Employment€Opportunity€Law€should€provideÐ )y Ðsanctions€in€all€cases€of€breaches€of€the€law.Ð b ÐÌ560.€€Asked€about€the€possibility€for€women€to€have€recourse€to€the€courts€or€other€tribunals€if€theirÐ ä4 Ðrights€were€infringed,€the€representative€said€that€anyone€might€have€recourse€to€the€courts€to€assertÐ Í Ðrights€granted€to€them€under€the€law.€€The€public€service€laws€provided€for€imprisonment€or€finesÐ ¶ Ðin€cases€of€discriminatory€treatment€and€any€public€employee€who€had€been€subjected€toÐ Ÿï Ðdiscriminatory€treatment€might€lodge€a€complaint€or€institute€a€lawsuit.Ð ˆØ ÐÌòòArticle€3óóÐ Zª ÐÌ561.€€Asked€whether€the€National€Women's€Education€Ô_ÔCentreÔ_Ô€offered€courses€to€prepare€women€forÐ ,| Ðpublic€office,€the€representative€replied€that€the€Ô_ÔCentreÔ_Ô€contributed€to€the€promotion€of€women'sÐ e Ðeducation€by€organizing€practical€training€courses€and€conducting€research.€€There€were€no€coursesÐ þN Ðto€prepare€women€for€public€office,€but€the€goal€was€to€empower€women€and€promote€theirÐ ç 7 Ðparticipation€in€public€life.Ð Ð!   ÐÌ562.€€Regarding€the€types€of€studies€and€diplomas€offered€at€the€Open€University,€the€representativeÐ ¢#ò" Ðsaid€that€the€university's€Faculty€of€Liberal€Arts€offered€courses€in€science€in€daily€life,€industrialÐ ‹$Û# Ðstudies,€social€studies,€humanities€and€natural€sciences,€after€which€a€bachelor's€degree€in€liberal€artsÐ t%Ä $ Ðcould€be€conferred€upon€graduation.Ð ]&­!% ÐÌ563.€€Members€commended€the€Government's€intention€to€strengthen€the€national€machinery€andÐ /(#' Ðasked€whether€thought€had€been€given€to€setting€up€the€office€of€equality€ombudsman.€€TheyÐ )h$( Ðrequested€information€in€the€subsequent€report€on€the€policies€that€were€pursued€to€fulfil€the€targetsÐ *Q%) Ðset€for€the€advancement€of€women.Ð ê*:&* ÐÌ564.€€Members€suggested€that€more€attention€should€be€paid€to€policy€measures€regarding€the€statusÐ ¼, (, Ðof€disabled€women€and€single€mothers.Ð ¥-õ(- ЇòòArticle€4óóÐ ° ÐÌ565.€€Regarding€the€system€of€reintegration€of€women€employees€into€the€workforce,€theÐ ‚Ò Ðrepresentative€stated€that€women€who€resigned€from€work€because€of€pregnancy,€childbirth€or€childÐ k» Ðcare€could€opt€to€be€re-employed.€€The€Ministry€of€Ô_ÔLabourÔ_Ô€provided€a€system€of€grants€to€employersÐ T¤ Ðthat€adopted€and€met€certain€conditions€and€promoted€a€comprehensive€support€plan€for€theÐ =  Ðreconciliation€of€work€and€child€care€through€the€dissemination€of€information,€educationalÐ & v Ðactivities,€child-care€leave,€reduced€working€hours,€advice€and€guidance€to€enterprises.€€Since€1988,Ð  _ Ðthe€proportion€of€firms€that€had€adopted€that€plan€had€increased€to€19.7€per€cent.€€One€of€the€reasonsÐ ø H Ðfor€the€low€percentage€was€the€fear€of€some€firms€that€they€would€incur€extra€expenses€in€upgradingÐ á 1  Ðthe€skills€of€returning€workers,€in€addition€to€the€financial€difficulties€brought€on€by€the€currentÐ Ê   Ðrecession.Ð ³  ÐÌ566.€€In€reply€to€questions€regarding€single-parent€families,€the€representative€said€that€householdsÐ …Õ  Ðheaded€by€a€single€mother,€irrespective€of€her€marital€status,€received€loans,€counseling,€a€survivor'sÐ n¾  Ðpension,€a€child-rearing€allowance€and€at-home€care,€and€could€also€obtain€night-time€child€care.€Ð W§  ÐAdditional€special€allowances€included€the€payment€of€a€vocational€training€allowance€and€theÐ @ Ðpayment€of€travel€expenses.Ð )y ÐÌ567.€€Regarding€the€Week€of€the€Women,€the€representative€explained€that€no€records€were€kept€onÐ ûK Ðthe€number€of€participants,€but€most€of€them€were€middle-aged€or€older€women€and,€recently,€aÐ ä4 Ðgrowing€number€of€men.€€Efforts€were€being€undertaken€to€increase€the€number€of€youngerÐ Í Ðparticipants€and€of€men.€€Other€efforts€to€raise€consciousness€included€the€Equal€EmploymentÐ ¶ ÐOpportunity€Month€and€a€panel€meeting€to€solve€problems€arising€from€stereotypes€and€to€improveÐ Ÿï Ðthe€social€environment€through€wide€dissemination€of€the€meeting's€proposals.Ð ˆØ ÐÌ568.€€In€additional€comments,€members€expressed€the€view€that€not€enough€use€had€been€made€ofÐ Zª Ðaffirmative€action,€such€as€the€setting€of€quotas.€€The€question€was€raised€whether€special€temporaryÐ C“ Ðmeasures€had€been€adopted€to€help€in€the€employment€of€young€women€during€the€economicÐ ,| Ðrecession.Ð e ÐÌòòArticle€5óóÐ ç 7 ÐÌ569.€€Within€the€framework€of€the€New€Plan€of€Action€to€the€Year€2000,€one€of€the€targets€of€whichÐ ¹" ! Ðwas€to€improve€the€popular€understanding€of€equality€between€men€and€women,€several€ministriesÐ ¢#ò" Ðand€agencies€had€undertaken€consciousness-raising€and€public€relations€activities.€€The€Ministry€ofÐ ‹$Û# ÐEducation€had€established€a€curriculum€extending€from€elementary€to€high€school€which€taughtÐ t%Ä $ Ðgender€equality€and€understanding.€€Partly€as€a€result€of€those€activities,€ways€of€thinking€had€begunÐ ]&­!% Ðto€change,€as€could€be€seen€from€a€public€opinion€poll€conducted€in€1992.€€The€representativeÐ F'–"& Ðsupplemented€that€statement€by€some€statistical€data.Ð /(#' ÐÌ570.€€Asked€about€legal€measures€in€relation€to€sexual€harassment,€the€representative€stated€that€noÐ *Q%) Ðspecific€legal€measures€existed€as€yet.€€The€most€difficult€task€was€to€alter€the€consciousness€ofÐ ê*:&* Ðsupervisors€and€male€colleagues.€€The€Ministry€of€Ô_ÔLabourÔ_Ô€had€established€a€study€group€to€look€intoÐ Ó+#'+ Ðthe€problem,€launched€a€campaign€and€started€providing€advice€to€women€workers.€€In€one€specificÐ ¼, (, Ðcase,€the€victim's€boss€and€employer€had€to€pay€damages€under€a€court€order.Ð ¥-õ(- Ї571.€€Regarding€cases€of€domestic€violence,€the€representative€quoted€statistical€data€compiled€inÐ ° Ð1992.€€Although€there€was€no€particular€provision€in€the€code€for€the€punishment€of€abuse€orÐ ™é Ðmaltreatment€of€a€spouse,€the€use€of€violence,€infliction€of€bodily€injury,€confinement€and€rape€wereÐ ‚Ò Ðall€criminal€acts.Ð k» ÐÌòòArticle€6óóÐ =  ÐÌ572.€€In€reply€to€the€question€what€available€information€had€led€to€the€comment€that€there€had€beenÐ  _ Ða€decline€in€the€number€of€arrests€for€prostitution-related€crimes,€the€representative€said€that€dealingÐ ø H Ðwith€prostitution-related€cases€had€become€more€difficult€with€the€development€of€moreÐ á 1  Ðsophisticated€forms€of€prostitution,€such€as€"dispatch€prostitution".Ð Ê   ÐÌ573.€€There€was€no€statistical€record€on€the€incidence€of€violence€against€prostitutes.€€Although€itÐ œì  Ðwas€illegal€to€be€the€client€of€a€prostitute,€there€was€no€provision€for€punishment.Ð …Õ  ÐÌ574.€€Regarding€the€question€whether€the€Government€had€considered€providing€compensation€toÐ W§  Ðwomen€who€had€been€forced€into€prostitution,€the€representative€said€that€official€organizationsÐ @ Ðnever€forced€women€into€prostitution.€€Although€the€Government€did€not€provide€compensation€toÐ )y Ðwomen€who€had€been€forced€into€prostitution€by€individuals€or€private€organizations,€persons€whoÐ b Ðsolicited€in€public€for€purposes€of€prostitution€might€be€sent€to€the€Women's€Guidance€Home,€andÐ ûK Ðgirls€and€women€in€need€of€protection€were€provided€with€professional€counseling,€guidance€andÐ ä4 Ðhousing.Ð Í ÐÌ575.€€Asked€about€the€provisions€of€the€Anti-Prostitution€Law,€the€representative€said€that€the€lawÐ Ÿï Ðstipulated€that€prostitution€impaired€human€dignity,€was€contrary€to€sexual€morality€and€corruptedÐ ˆØ Ðthe€morals€of€society,€and€emphasized€the€illegal€and€anti-social€character€of€prostitution.€€TheÐ qÁ Ðpurpose€of€the€Act€was€to€prevent,€suppress€and€prohibit€prostitution;€however,€only€acts€relatingÐ Zª Ðto€the€promotion€of€prostitution,€not€the€acts€of€prostitution,€were€put€under€sanctions.Ð C“ ÐÌ576.€€In€additional€comments,€members€observed€that€the€report€included€very€little€informationÐ e Ðabout€cases€of€Asian€women€who€had€raised€issues€of€exploitation€against€Japan.€€Reference€wasÐ þN Ðmade€to€cases€of€sex€tourism,€the€abuse€of€other€Asian€women€in€the€Japanese€sex€industry,Ð ç 7 Ðmail-order€brides€and€the€exploitation€of€women€through€forays€of€Japanese€men€into€other€AsianÐ Ð!   Ðcountries.€€The€Government€was€urged€to€discourage€sex€tourism.€€Particular€reference€was€madeÐ ¹" ! Ðto€the€fate€of€women€who€had€been€forced€into€prostitution€by€Japanese€men€during€the€SecondÐ ¢#ò" ÐWorld€War,€often€referred€to€as€"comfort€women".€€It€was€suggested€by€some€members€that€theÐ ‹$Û# ÐGovernment€should€pay€overall€compensation€to€the€surviving€victims€without€their€having€to€goÐ t%Ä $ Ðto€court€individually,€and€create€a€women's€fund€in€memory€of€those€who€had€died€in€the€meantime,Ð ]&­!% Ðthus€meeting€its€commitment€to€the€women€of€Asia.€€They€requested€an€explanation€about€theÐ F'–"& Ðmeasures€the€Government€was€planning€to€take€to€assist€those€women.Ð /(#' ÐÌ577.€€It€was€said€that€the€report€did€not€provide€enough€data€on€prostitution,€pornography,€violenceÐ *Q%) Ðagainst€women,€exploitation€of€immigrant€women,€the€shelter€situation€for€battered€women€and€theÐ ê*:&* Ðpunishments€for€those€offences.€€Members€asked€whether€criminal€gangs€profited€from€theÐ Ó+#'+ Ðexploitation€of€women€and€whether€geisha€girls€or€hostesses€were€still€common.€€They€urged€theÐ ¼, (, ÐGovernment€to€undertake€a€study€on€all€of€those€issues€and€the€underlying€causes€and€report€on€theÐ ¥-õ(- ÐÔ_Ôpolicy€measures€taken.Ð ° ÐÌ578.€€In€addressing€those€concerns,€the€representative€said€that€the€Prime€Minister€had€been€askedÐ ‚Ò Ðto€take€stronger€measures€against€organized€prostitution.€€The€Government€was€trying€to€curb€sexÐ k» Ðtourism€through€legal€amendments€that€should€forbid€travel€agents€to€arrange€illegal€acts€forÐ T¤ Ðtravelers.€€Any€form€of€prostitution€was€illegal€and€the€Government€was€intensifying€efforts€toÐ =  Ðprotect€the€rights€of€foreign€workers.€€Regarding€the€issue€of€"comfort€women",€a€study€had€beenÐ & v Ðundertaken€in€1991€and€when€the€findings€had€been€made€public€in€1993,€the€Government€hadÐ  _ Ðextended€its€apologies€to€all€those€who€had€suffered€damage.€€The€Government€was€considering€howÐ ø H Ðbest€to€express€its€remorse.Ð á 1  ÐÌòòArticle€7óóÐ ³  ÐÌ579.€€Members€welcomed€the€appointment€of€female€ministers€and€noted€the€Plan€of€Action€of€1977Ð …Õ  Ðfor€increasing€the€number€of€women€in€executive€bodies.€€Asked€for€clarification€of€the€applicationÐ n¾  Ðof€the€Plan€of€Action,€the€representative€said€that€one€of€its€five€basic€targets€was€to€achieveÐ W§  Ðparticipation€in€society€by€men€and€women€on€an€equal€footing€and€one€of€the€priority€objectivesÐ @ Ðwas€to€promote€women's€participation€in€policy€decision-making.€€The€Government€was€seeking€theÐ )y Ðcooperation€of€local€governments,€political€organizations,€labour€unions€and€women's€organizationsÐ b Ðin€its€task.€€To€promote€the€participation€of€women€in€administration,€the€Government€had€set€anÐ ûK Ðinitial€overall€target€of€10€per€cent.€€The€Government€had€promoted€the€employment€of€women€asÐ ä4 Ðpublic€employees,€reviewed€the€restrictions€on€women's€participation€in€recruitment€examinationsÐ Í Ðfor€public€service€jobs,€had€in€1991€set€a€newly€revised€target€rate€for€women€in€national€advisoryÐ ¶ Ðcouncils,€to€be€raised€to€15€per€cent€by€the€year€1995,€and€abolished€all€restrictions€on€womenÐ Ÿï Ðentering€the€regular€national€public€service.Ð ˆØ ÐÌ580.€€While€commending€the€election€of€a€woman€as€Speaker€of€the€House€of€Representatives,Ð Zª Ðmembers€inquired€about€the€reasons€for€the€continuing€low€percentage€of€women€members€ofÐ C“ ÐParliament€and€the€small€increase€in€the€number€of€women€in€national€advisory€bodies€and€in€localÐ ,| Ðgovernment.€€The€representative€stated€that€the€stereotypes€concerning€the€roles€of€men€and€womenÐ e Ðin€society€and€the€short€history€of€women's€participation€in€political€life€were€contributing€reasonsÐ þN Ðfor€the€situation.€€The€expansion€of€women's€participation€in€policy€decision-making€was€one€of€theÐ ç 7 Ðpriorities€of€the€New€Plan€of€Action.€€More€specifically,€the€low€number€of€women€in€nationalÐ Ð!   Ðadvisory€bodies€was€related€to€the€small€number€of€women€who€held€senior€public€posts€and€wereÐ ¹" ! Ðin€leadership€positions.€€Therefore,€the€national€machinery€asked€that€more€women€candidates€beÐ ¢#ò" Ðrecommended€to€advisory€councils€and€be€promoted€in€their€own€organizations.€€The€low€numberÐ ‹$Û# Ðof€women€in€local€government€was€explained€by€the€low€number€of€women€who€played€active€roles,Ð t%Ä $ Ðheld€high€positions€or€had€the€necessary€knowledge€or€qualifications.Ð ]&­!% ÐÌ581.€€Asked€about€the€rate€of€participation€of€women€at€the€upper€levels€in€political€parties,€theÐ /(#' Ðrepresentative€said€that€the€percentages€varied€from€1.2€to€18.1€per€cent.€€Their€membership€variedÐ )h$( Ðfrom€6.1€to€44.8€per€cent.€€The€proportion€of€female€trade€union€members€stood€at€28.2€per€cent€inÐ *Q%) Ð1993.Ð ê*:&* ÐÌ582.€€Regarding€the€enrolment€figure€of€women€in€the€National€Defence€Academy,€theÐ ¼, (, Ðrepresentative€said€that,€with€a€total€of€71€female€students,€women€had€accounted€for€7.5€per€Ô_ÔcentÐ ¥-õ(- Ðof€the€total€number€of€students€since€1992.Ð ° ÐÌ583.€€In€additional€comments,€members€urged€the€Government€to€take€specific€steps€to€improve€theÐ ‚Ò Ðstatus€of€women€in€positions€of€power€and€decision-making.Ð k» ÐÌòòArticle€8óóÐ =  ÐÌ584.€€Asked€about€the€number€of€women€filling€diplomatic€posts,€the€representative€stated€that€inÐ  _ Ð1993€14.8€per€cent€of€the€officials€in€the€Ministry€of€Foreign€Affairs€were€women.€€Of€the€candidatesÐ ø H Ðwho€had€passed€the€Foreign€Service€Specialist€Officer€Examination€in€1993,€more€than€half€had€beenÐ á 1  Ðwomen.€€There€were€four€women€ambassadors.€€Members€suggested€that€the€subsequent€report€giveÐ Ê   Ðinformation€on€the€percentage€of€female€ambassadors€and€women€holding€posts€in€internationalÐ ³  Ðorganizations.Ð œì  ÐÌòòArticle€10óóÐ n¾  ÐÌ585.€€Members€inquired€whether€the€reasons€for€the€somewhat€more€optimistic€view€regarding€theÐ @ Ðpercentages€of€girls€studying€non-traditional€subjects€during€the€period€covered€by€the€third€periodicÐ )y Ðreport€were€the€result€of€any€particular€strategies.€€The€representative€said€that€women€had€beenÐ b Ðparticipating€in€a€greater€variety€of€fields€of€study€as€a€result€of€changes€in€attitudes€about€gender.€Ð ûK ÐThe€Ministry€of€Education€was€trying€to€develop€awareness€of€the€equality€of€men€and€women€atÐ ä4 Ðeach€grade€level€in€elementary€and€secondary€schools€and€guidance€counselors€were€encouragingÐ Í Ðstudents€to€select€courses€of€study€free€of€any€preconceived€notion€about€gender€suitability.Ð ¶ ÐÌ586.€€Asked€for€clarification€concerning€the€"open€courses"€and€specialized€education,€theÐ ˆØ Ðrepresentative€explained€that€university€extension€courses€provided€learning€opportunities€to€adultÐ qÁ Ðcitizens€in€various€fields.€€The€courses€were€open€to€everyone.€€The€open€courses€providedÐ Zª Ðopportunities€to€gain€specialized€knowledge€and€vocational€skills€about€daily€life€and€current€issues.€Ð C“ ÐMore€than€half€of€the€participants€were€women.€Ð ,| ÐÌ587.€€Regarding€any€plans€to€reform€the€curriculum€in€order€to€expand€the€subjects€offered€at€allÐ þN Ðlevels,€the€representative€stated€that€after€the€reform€of€1989,€the€national€curriculum€for€bothÐ ç 7 ÐeÔ_ÔlementaryÔ_Ô€and€secondary€education€became€the€same.€€Home€economics€was€mandatory€for€allÐ Ð!   Ðstudents€at€the€upper€secondary€school€level€and€industrial€arts€and€home-making€had€to€be€takenÐ ¹" ! Ðby€both€boys€and€girls€at€the€lower€secondary€school€level.Ð ¢#ò" ÐÌ588.€€Members€noted€the€women's€studies€Ô_ÔprogrammeÔ_Ô€offered€by€the€National€Women's€EducationÐ t%Ä $ ÐÔ_ÔCentreÔ_Ô€and€commended€the€attempt€to€introduce€comparative€international€information€throughÐ ]&­!% Ðseminars€as€beneficial€to€Japanese€women.Ð F'–"& ÐÌ589.€€Regarding€consciousness-raising€about€gender€equality€and€the€corresponding€training€ofÐ )h$( Ðteachers,€the€representative€said€that€the€Ministry€of€Education€attempted€to€give€teachers€sufficientÐ *Q%) Ðinformation€about€gender€equality€by€holding€curriculum€classes€for€each€area€or€prefecture.Ð ê*:&* ÐÌ590.€€In€additional€comments€members€expressed€appreciation€for€the€changes€made€but€said€thatÐ ¼, (, Ðthe€reversal€of€stereotyping€in€the€education€system€and€in€the€media€needed€to€be€extended.€Ð ¥-õ(- ÐÔ_ÔAttitudes€needed€to€be€changed€at€an€early€age€and€great€importance€should€be€attached€to€the€sexÐ ° Ðeducation€of€children.€Ð ™é ÐÌòòArticle€11óóÐ k» ÐÌ591.€€Members€asked€whether€the€principle€of€equal€pay€for€work€of€equal€value€was€beingÐ =  Ðconsidered€and€what€procedures€existed€for€the€settlement€of€disputes€concerning€remuneration.€€TheÐ & v Ðrepresentative€explained€that€the€data€supplied€in€the€reports€did€not€permit€a€comparison€of€averageÐ  _ Ðremuneration€of€men€and€women.€€The€main€factors€accounting€for€a€difference€in€the€averageÐ ø H Ðremuneration€of€men€and€women€were€seniority,€the€occupation€of€the€employee€and€the€type€ofÐ á 1  Ðindustry€in€which€they€worked.€€The€Government€was€trying€to€strengthen€measures€to€promote€theÐ Ê   Ðcompatibility€of€work€and€family€responsibilities€and€to€ensure€equal€opportunity€and€treatment,€inÐ ³  Ðorder€to€narrow€the€remuneration€gap.€€In€addition,€the€Government€had€published€guidebooks€forÐ œì  Ðstudents€to€encourage€them€to€consider€occupations€other€than€those€traditionally€taken€up€byÐ …Õ  Ðwomen,€and€was€also€organizing€meetings€to€discuss€ways€of€utilizing€women's€abilities€in€all€fields.€Ð n¾  ÐLabour€standards€inspectors€supervised€the€observance€of€ILO€Convention€No.€100€concerning€equalÐ W§  Ðpay€for€equal€work€for€men€and€women€whenever€a€complaint€was€filed€and€also€when€a€violationÐ @ Ðwas€revealed€as€a€result€of€an€inspection.€€In€many€cases€damages€had€been€awarded€as€a€result€ofÐ )y Ðlawsuits.Ð b ÐÌ592.€€Remuneration€consisted€of€the€basic€wages€and€allowances.€€Under€the€Japanese€wage€system,Ð ä4 Ðit€was€difficult€to€apply€the€concept€of€equal€pay€for€work€of€equal€value€or€evaluation€systems€basedÐ Í Ðon€gender-neutral€criteria,€as€contained€in€the€Committee's€general€recommendation€13.Ð ¶ ÐÌ593.€€Asked€whether€the€Labour€Standards€Law€also€dealt€with€health€and€safety€rules€at€theÐ ˆØ Ðworkplace€and€what€sanctions€were€provided€for€violations€of€the€law,€the€representative€said€thatÐ qÁ Ðissues€of€safety€and€health€at€the€workplace€were€addressed€by€the€Industrial€Safety€and€Health€Law,Ð Zª Ðaccording€to€which€the€employer€had€to€ensure€the€safety€and€health€of€workers€by€establishing€aÐ C“ Ðcomfortable€working€environment€and€improving€working€conditions€in€addition€to€complying€withÐ ,| Ðminimum€standards.€€The€sanctions€were€imprisonment€or€fines.Ð e ÐÌ594.€€Regarding€the€type€of€protection€that€was€afforded€to€women€in€agricultural,€forestry€or€fishingÐ ç 7 Ðindustries€and€the€problems€that€they€encountered€in€ensuring€the€economic€well-being€of€theirÐ Ð!   Ðfamilies,€the€representative€said€that€since€only€7€per€cent€of€the€women€working€in€those€branchesÐ ¹" ! Ðof€industry€were€employees,€the€rest€being€self-employed€or€family€workers,€safety€measures€andÐ ¢#ò" Ðworking€conditions€tended€to€be€poorly€controlled.€€However,€the€competent€ministry€undertookÐ ‹$Û# Ðseveral€measures€to€improve€conditions,€such€as€consciousness-raising€and€training€activities,€mutualÐ t%Ä $ Ðlabour€assistance€programmes€and€the€establishment€of€model€farms.€€Female€workers€in€those€fieldsÐ ]&­!% Ðof€industry€were€protected€by€the€relevant€labour€laws€just€like€female€employees€in€other€industries.€Ð F'–"& ÐThe€major€difficulties€for€those€women€were€to€balance€their€occupational€with€their€householdÐ /(#' Ðresponsibilities€and€to€cope€with€the€undefined€role€of€women€in€those€operations.€€The€ministryÐ )h$( Ðprovided€education€through€homelife-improvement€extension€programmes€and€promoted€theÐ *Q%) Ðreaching€of€household€agreements€on€the€roles€and€situations€of€family€members,€since€in€thoseÐ ê*:&* Ðoccupations€the€male€head€of€household€was€mostly€the€decision€maker€and€other€family€membersÐ Ó+#'+ Ðprovided€the€labour.Ð ¼, (, ÐÐ ¥-õ(- Ð595.€€Asked€about€the€rate€of€unemployment€among€women€and€any€assistance€provided€to€ensureÐ ° Ðminimum€living€standards€for€their€families,€the€representative€said€that€owing€to€the€prolongedÐ ™é Ðrecession€the€unemployment€rate€was€rising€for€both€men€and€women.€€It€stood€at€2.8€per€cent€inÐ ‚Ò ÐNovember€1993.€€Unemployment€benefits€ensured€a€minimum€living€standard€and€were€providedÐ k» Ðregardless€of€sex€for€a€limited€period€of€time,€depending€on€age€and€length€of€previous€employment.€Ð T¤ ÐThe€Government€was€currently€trying€to€devise€effective€employment€measures.Ð =  ÐÌ596.€€Regarding€a€question€about€the€pension€systems€in€the€public€and€in€the€private€sector€and€theÐ  _ Ðdifferences€between€them€the€representative€explained€that€the€national€pension€schemes€providedÐ ø H Ðbasic€pensions€for€all.€€Salaried€workers€in€the€private€sector€were€automatically€insured€under€theÐ á 1  ÐEmployees'€Pension€Insurance€and€persons€working€in€the€national€and€local€government€wereÐ Ê   Ðcovered€by€the€Mutual€Aid€Association.€€As€the€coverage€differed€in€the€various€schemes,€theÐ ³  ÐGovernment€was€planning€to€unify€the€public€pension€schemes€by€1995.Ð œì  ÐÌ597.€€With€reference€to€the€current€status€of€the€family-care€leave€scheme,€the€representative€saidÐ n¾  Ðthat€the€number€of€firms€that€had€introduced€the€scheme€was€gradually€increasing.€€The€guidelinesÐ W§  Ðissued€by€the€Ministry€of€Labour€described€the€minimum€conditions€applicable€to€permit€a€workerÐ @ Ðto€take€leave€to€care€for€a€family€member,€such€as€duration€and€gender€equality,€and€contained€a€listÐ )y Ðof€the€persons€for€whose€care€leave€might€be€taken.€€The€employee€should€also€be€given€the€choiceÐ b Ðbetween€taking€such€leave€or€making€use€of€such€measures€as€flex-time€or€staggered€working€hours.€Ð ûK ÐThe€guidelines€had€been€widely€disseminated€and€were€being€adopted€by€many€firms;€however,€theÐ ä4 Ðfamily-care€leave€scheme€had€not€become€law€as€yet.Ð Í ÐÌ598.€€In€additional€comments,€members€appreciated€the€progress€in€the€employment€of€women€butÐ Ÿï Ðsaid€that€much€more€needed€to€be€done€in€areas€such€as€equal€employment€opportunity,€part-timeÐ ˆØ Ðemployment€and€wage€disparity.€€Members€observed€that€the€principle€of€equal€pay€for€equal€workÐ qÁ Ðhad€not€been€complied€with,€since€according€to€their€information€women€received€only€40€per€centÐ Zª Ðof€men's€wages.€€They€asked€what€practical€measures€the€Government€was€considering€to€improveÐ C“ Ðthe€situation.€€Members€referred€to€similar€comments€that€had€been€made€during€the€presentationÐ ,| Ðof€the€initial€report.€€Members€felt€that€women€in€Japan€seemed€to€be€subjected€to€indirectÐ e Ðdiscrimination€through€the€separate€personnel€management€track€systems€practised€by€privateÐ þN Ðcompanies.€€Such€practices€needed€to€be€prosecuted€just€as€much€as€those€involving€directÐ ç 7 Ðdiscrimination€and€measures€should€be€taken€to€make€private€firms€comply€fully€with€the€law.€€TheÐ Ð!   Ðquestion€was€raised€whether€the€Government€had€an€understanding€of€the€concept€of€indirectÐ ¹" ! Ðdiscrimination,€of€which€such€separate€track€systems€were€an€example;€the€Government€was€urgedÐ ¢#ò" Ðto€include€that€concept€when€reforming€the€Equal€Employment€Opportunity€Act.€€Questions€wereÐ ‹$Û# Ðraised€as€to€who€paid€for€child-care€leave,€the€Government€or€the€employer,€and€the€kind€of€obstaclesÐ t%Ä $ Ðmen€faced€in€taking€such€leave.€€When€women€re-entered€the€labour€market,€mechanisms€shouldÐ ]&­!% Ðexist€to€prevent€their€being€forced€into€part-time€employment.€€Members€said€that€JapaneseÐ F'–"& Ðcompanies€did€not€make€full€use€of€women's€skills€and€capabilities.€Ð /(#' ÐÌ599.€€Asked€about€measures€to€improve€the€status€of€part-time€workers,€the€representative€said€thatÐ *Q%) Ðpart-time€workers€were€covered€by€the€Labour€Standards€Law,€which€set€minimum€labour€standards.€Ð ê*:&* ÐIn€order€to€improve€their€welfare€and€working€conditions,€the€Law€Concerning€the€Improvement€ofÐ Ó+#'+ ÐEmployment€Management€of€Part-time€Workers€had€been€enacted€and€put€into€force€in€1993.€€AÐ ¼, (, Ðnumber€of€measures€had€been€taken€on€the€basis€of€that€law,€and€efforts€in€that€direction€Ô_ÔwereÐ ¥-õ(- Ðexpected€to€intensify.Ð ° ÐÌ600.€€With€reference€to€the€Japanese€wage€system,€which€is€based€on€seniority,€the€representativeÐ ‚Ò Ðsaid€that€it€was€not€discriminatory€towards€women€because€of€the€child-care€system.€€The€provisionÐ k» Ðof€vocational€training€for€women€who€re-entered€the€Ô_ÔlabourÔ_Ô€market€was€paramount.Ð T¤ ÐÌ601.€€Members€asked€whether€measures€had€been€taken€to€reduce€the€working€week€to€40€hours€inÐ & v Ðorder€to€strengthen€the€family.Ð  _ ÐÌòòArticle€12óóÐ á 1  ÐÌ602.€€In€the€course€of€additional€questions€raised,€members€asked€whether€there€was€a€nationallyÐ ³  Ðorganized€screening€Ô_ÔprogrammeÔ_Ô€for€cervical€and€breast€cancer.Ð œì  ÐÌ603.€€Members€referred€to€the€medical€tests€that€were€mandatory€for€women€serving€in€private€bathÐ n¾  Ðhouses.€€The€fact€that€they€were€not€informed€of€the€results€constituted€a€violation€of€human€rights.Ð W§  ÐÌòòArticle€14óóÐ )y ÐÌ604.€€In€referring€to€the€status€of€rural€women,€members€said€that€particular€attention€should€be€paidÐ ûK Ðto€them€as€their€traditions€were€usually€the€strongest€and€progress€difficult€to€achieve.€€SpecialÐ ä4 ÐÔ_ÔprogrammesÔ_Ô€should€be€designed€to€involve€rural€women€in€decision-making.Ð Í ÐÌòòArticle€16óóÐ Ÿï ÐÌ605.€€Members€observed€that€very€little€information€had€been€supplied€in€the€reports€relating€to€theÐ qÁ Ðreform€of€the€Civil€Code€intended€to€improve€the€status€of€women€and€children€in€the€family€andÐ Zª Ðasked€for€clarification€of€the€current€legal€situation€of€women€in€the€family.€€The€representative€saidÐ C“ Ðthat€a€national€advisory€commission€had€started€reviewing€the€provisions€concerning€marriage€andÐ ,| Ðdivorce€under€the€Civil€Code.€€An€interim€report€had€been€published€in€1992€and€through€mid-May,Ð e Ðthe€views€of€the€public€and€the€courts€had€been€solicited€until€mid-May€1993.€€On€the€basis€of€thoseÐ þN Ðviews,€the€deliberations€on€the€relevant€issues€were€still€ongoing.Ð ç 7 ÐÌ606.€€In€additional€comments,€members€referred€to€discriminatory€practices€relating€to€marriage€andÐ ¹" ! Ðfamily€relations,€such€as€those€regarding€the€prohibition€against€women€remarrying€within€a€certainÐ ¢#ò" Ðperiod€and€children€born€out€of€wedlock.€€Greater€consideration€should€also€be€given€to€the€elderlyÐ ‹$Û# Ðfemale€population€and,€following€related€research,€information€should€be€provided€on€policyÐ t%Ä $ Ðmeasures€and€Ô_ÔprogrammesÔ_Ô.€€Members€asked€also€when€the€ongoing€review€of€the€Civil€Code€wouldÐ ]&­!% Ðbe€finished€and€what€the€reasons€for€the€recent€increase€in€the€divorce€rate€were.€€Members€stressedÐ F'–"& Ðthe€need€to€address€rigid€gender-role€stereotypes€in€the€family€and€to€increase€male€participation€inÐ /(#' Ðfamily€life.Ð )h$( ÐÌ607.€€The€Committee€deferred€its€concluding€comments€on€the€reports€of€Japan€until€its€fourteenthÐ ê*:&* Ðsession.Ð  Ó+#'+ ÐÔUK.,US.,ö‰ÔÔUSUK.,Ôò òÔ_ÔCEDAWÔ_Ô€€A/50/38€(1995)ó ó€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€Ð ° ÐÌÌ626.€€The€Committee€on€the€Elimination€of€Discrimination€against€Women€(Ô_ÔCEDAWÔ_Ô)€consideredÐ n¾ Ðthe€combined€second€and€third€periodic€reports€of€Japan€(Ô_ÔCEDAWÔ_Ô/C/Ô_ÔJPNÔ_Ô/12€of€9€July)€at€its€248thÐ W§ Ðmeeting,€on€27€and€28€January€1994.Ð @  ÐÌòòIntroductionóóÐ  b ÐÌ627.€€The€Committee€commended€the€Government€of€Japan€on€the€presentation€of€a€detailedÐ ä 4  Ðcombined€report,€which€followed€the€guidelines€for€reporting€and€provided€information€on€questionsÐ Í   Ðleft€unanswered€during€consideration€of€the€initial€report.€€The€Committee€also€noted€withÐ ¶  Ðappreciation€the€extensive€responses€given€to€the€questions€put€by€the€Pre-session€Working€Group,Ð Ÿï  Ðbut€expressed€its€concern€that€the€information€was€not€provided€in€sufficient€time€for€the€pre-sessionÐ ˆØ  Ðgroup€to€consider€it€fully.€€The€Committee,€while€appreciating€the€richness€of€the€report,€asked€theÐ qÁ  ÐGovernment€of€Japan€to€bear€in€mind€the€Committee's€constraints€of€time€for€considering€reports,Ð Zª  Ðso€that€in€the€future€a€fuller€dialogue€between€the€distinguished€representatives€of€the€GovernmentÐ C“ Ðof€Japan€and€the€Experts€could€take€place.Ð ,| ÐÌòòPositive€aspectsóóÐ þN ÐÌ628.€€The€Committee€noted€and€commended€that€some€consultation€with€non-governmentalÐ Ð  Ðorganizations€having€an€interest€in€issues€affecting€women€had€occurred.€€It€noted€in€particular€theÐ ¹  Ðactive€interest€taken€by€Japanese€non-governmental€organizations€in€the€Convention€and€also€notedÐ ¢ò Ðthe€independent€reports€provided€by€them.€€The€Committee€considered€that€this€interest€wasÐ ‹Û Ðindicative€of€the€level€of€mobilization€and€concern€among€Japanese€women€and€the€degree€ofÐ tÄ Ðconsensus€about€the€major€obstacles€faced€by€them€in€achieving€equal€status€with€men.Ð ]­ ÐÌ629.€€The€Committee€also€commended€the€Government€of€Japan€on€the€progress€made€in€a€shortÐ / Ðtime€in€advancing€the€status€of€women,€particularly€in€the€increased€participation€of€women€in€publicÐ h Ðand€political€life,€and€the€plans€of€the€Government€to€improve€further€that€participation.€€TheÐ  Q ÐCommittee€also€applauded€the€way€in€which€the€Government€had€encÔ_ÔouragedÔ_Ô€the€broaderÐ ê : Ðparticipation€of€women€in€education€and€its€action€in€implementing€a€family€leave€scheme.Ð Ó!#  ÐÌòòPrincipal€subjects€of€concernóóÐ ¥#õ" ÐÌ630.€€The€Committee€observed€with€concern€that€although€Japan€ranked€second€among€the€countriesÐ w%Ç $ Ðof€the€world€in€terms€of€overall€resource€development,€according€to€the€United€Nations,€her€rankingÐ `&°!% Ðwas€reduced€to€fourteenth€when€the€Ô_ÔsocioÔ_Ô-economic€status€of€Japanese€women€was€taken€intoÐ I'™"& Ðconsideration.€€The€Committee€considered€that€this€demonstrated€the€State's€indifference€toÐ 2(‚#' Ðintegrating€women€fully€in€the€economic€development€process€of€the€country.Ð )k$( ÐÌ631.€€The€Committee€also€expressed€its€concern€that€although€the€report€contained€a€wealth€of€data,Ð í*=&* Ðit€was€otherwise€descriptive€and€lacked€critical€analysis€of€the€obstacles€to€full€implementation€ofÐ Ö+&'+ Ðthe€Convention€in€Japan.Ð ¿,(, ÐÐ ¨-ø(- Ð632.€€The€Committee€noted€further€that,€despite€the€introduction€of€the€Equal€EmploymentÐ ° ÐOpportunity€Act,€individual€discrimination€continues.Ð ™é ÐÌ633.€€The€Committee€expressed€its€disappointment€that€the€Japanese€report€contained€no€seriousÐ k» Ðreflection€on€issues€concerning€the€sexual€exploitation€of€women€from€other€countries€in€Asia€andÐ T¤ Ðduring€the€Second€World€War.€€It€noted€that€Japan's€commitment€to€the€Convention€required€it€toÐ =  Ðensure€the€protection€of€the€full€human€rights€of€all€women,€including€foreign€and€immigrantÐ & v Ðwomen.Ð  _ ÐÌòòSuggestions€and€recommendationsóóÐ á 1  ÐÌ634.€€The€Committee€asks€that€the€Government€of€Japan€engage€in€effective€dialogue€with€JapaneseÐ ³  Ðwomen's€organizations€during€the€preparation€of€the€next€periodic€report€so€that€a€better€picture€ofÐ œì  ÐJapanese€women€emerges.€€The€legal€and€functional€discrimination€faced€by€Japanese€women,€bothÐ …Õ  Ðin€the€private€sphere€and€in€the€workplace€should€be€identified,€as€should€the€measures€in€place€orÐ n¾  Ðplanned€to€overcome€these€obstacles.Ð W§  ÐÌ635.€€To€enable€the€Committee€to€have€a€better€understanding€of€commercial€sexual€exploitation€orÐ )y Ðprostitution€of€immigrant€women€in€Japan,€more€detailed€information€should€be€provided€on€the€sexÐ b Ðindustry€in€Japan.€€The€Committee€requests€the€Government€of€Japan€to€undertake€a€study€of€the€sexÐ ûK Ðindustry€in€Japan€and€to€provide€information€on€the€findings€in€its€next€report.€€The€Committee€alsoÐ ä4 Ðencourages€the€Government€to€take€specific€and€effective€measures€to€address€these€current€issuesÐ Í Ðas€well€as€war-related€crimes€and€to€inform€the€Committee€about€such€measures€in€the€next€report.Ð ¶ ÐÌ636.€€The€Government€of€Japan€should€ensure€that€the€private€sector€complies€with€the€provisionsÐ ˆØ Ðof€the€Equal€Employment€Opportunity€Act€and€report€on€the€measures€taken€to€address€the€indirectÐ qÁ Ðdiscrimination€faced€by€women,€both€in€terms€of€promotion€and€wages€in€the€private€sector.Ð Zª ÐÌÔUK.,US.,B,ÔÐ  ,| ÐÔCEUK.,ÔÔUK.,CE.,vDÔÔCEUK.,ÔÌò òÔ_ÔCEDAWÔ_Ô€A/58/38€(2003)ó óÐ ™é ÐÌ37.à  àThe€Committee€considered€the€fourth€and€fifth€periodic€reports€of€Japan€(Ô_ÔCEDAWÔ_Ô/C/Ô_ÔJPNÔ_Ô/4Ð l¼ Ðand€Ô_ÔCEDAWÔ_Ô/C/Ô_ÔJPNÔ_Ô/5)€at€its€617th€and€618th€meetings€on€8€July€2003€(see€Ô_ÔCEDAWÔ_Ô/C/SR.617€andÐ U¥ Ð618).Ð > Ž ÐÌòòIntroduction€by€the€State€partyóóÐ  ` ÐÌ338.à  àIn€introducing€the€fourth€and€fifth€periodic€reports,€the€representative€emphasized€that€greatÐ â 2  Ðprogress€had€been€made€for€gender€equality€in€the€1990s.€Information,€including€the€opinions€ofÐ Ë   Ðnon„governmental€organizations,€had€been€sought€in€the€preparation€of€the€present€reports.€AsÐ ´  Ðnational€government€ministries€and€agencies€had€been€streamlined€in€2001,€the€existing€nationalÐ í  Ðmachinery€for€gender€equality€had€been€strengthened.€The€Gender€Equality€Bureau€had€beenÐ †Ö  Ðestablished€within€the€Cabinet€Office,€with€responsibility€for€planning€and€coordinating€the€genderÐ o¿  Ðequality€policies€of€the€Government.€The€Council€for€Gender€Equality,€chaired€by€the€Chief€CabinetÐ X¨  ÐSecretary,€who€also€held€the€post€of€Minister€of€State€for€Gender€Equality,€consisted€of€ministersÐ A‘ Ðand€experts,€and€monitored€the€implementation€of€gender€equality€policies€and€studied€their€effects.€Ð *z ÐÌ339.à  àThe€representative€drew€attention€to€a€number€of€new€legal€and€other€measures.€The€BasicÐ üL ÐLaw€for€a€Gender„equal€Society€had€been€enacted€in€1999,€followed€by€the€adoption€in€DecemberÐ å5 Ð2000€of€the€Basic€Plan€for€Gender€Equality.€The€latter€was€comprised€of€concrete€measures€to€beÐ Î Ðtaken€by€2005,€as€well€as€long„term€policies€and€principles€to€be€achieved€by€2010.€Subsequently,Ð · Ðmost€local€prefectures€had€passed€gender„equality€ordinances€to€implement€gender€equality€plansÐ  ð Ðmandated€by€the€Basic€Law.Ð ‰Ù ÐÌ340.à  àThe€first€comprehensive€law€on€the€prevention€of€spousal€violence€and€the€protection€ofÐ [« Ðvictims€had€been€adopted€in€2001,€followed€by€the€establishment€of€103€spousal€violenceÐ D” Ðcounselling€and€support€centres.€According€to€a€nationwide€survey€of€November€2002,€one€in€everyÐ -} Ðfive€women€had€experienced€some€form€of€spousal€violence,€but€most€had€never€sought€assistanceÐ f Ðfrom€public€institutions.€The€Government€was€undertaking€efforts€at€information€dissemination€andÐ ÿO Ðwas€also€considering€further€revisions€to€the€law€to€make€it€more€effective.€Laws€to€punish€actsÐ è 8 Ðrelated€to€child€prostitution€and€child€pornography,€to€protect€children€and€to€proscribe€stalkingÐ Ñ!!  Ðbehaviour€and€assist€victims€further€strengthened€measures€to€respond€to€violence€against€women.Ð º" ! ÐÌ341.à  àWhile€the€revised€Equal€Employment€Opportunity€Law€(1997)€prohibited€discriminationÐ Œ$Ü# Ðagainst€women€and€had€led€to€a€steady€spread€of€equal€treatment€of€male€and€female€employees,Ð u%Å $ Ðgaps€still€persisted.€The€issue€now€was€how€to€eliminate€them.€Councils€had€been€established€toÐ ^&®!% Ðpromote€implementation€of€positive€action€policies.€A€study€had€revealed€reasons€and€put€forwardÐ G'—"& Ðproposals€for€addressing€the€wage€gaps€between€women€and€men,€after€which€the€GovernmentÐ 0(€#' Ðannounced€guidelines.€A€Panel€on€Equal€Employment€Opportunity€Policies€between€Men€andÐ )i$( ÐWomen€was€considering€how€to€define€what€constituted€indirect€discrimination€and€would€reportÐ *R%) Ðin€2004.€Women€constituted€70€per€cent€of€part„time€workers,€and€40€per€cent€of€employed€womenÐ ë*;&* Ðworked€part€time,€but€the€salaries€of€such€workers€were€lower€than€those€of€full„time€workers.€BasedÐ Ô+$'+ Ðon€a€report€issued€in€March,€the€Government€was€preparing€to€revise€current€guidelines€concerningÐ ½, (, Ðthe€equitable€treatment€of€full„time€and€part„time€employees.Ð ¦-ö(- Ї342.à  àEfforts€were€also€under€way€to€enhance€the€balancing€of€work€and€family.€The€Child€CareÐ ° Ðand€Family€Care€Leave€Law€had€been€revised€in€2001€to€prohibit€disadvantageous€treatment€ofÐ ™é Ðemployees€taking€childcare€leave€and€other€aspects.€Policies€had€been€adopted€to€supportÐ ‚Ò Ðimplementation€of€the€law,€including€five€days€of€leave€for€men€upon€the€birth€of€a€child,€and€theÐ k» Ðcreation€of€an€additional€150,000€places€for€children€in€day€care€within€three€years.€A€studyÐ T¤ Ðconducted€in€2001€indicated€that€two€thirds€of€women€left€the€workforce€following€childbirth€dueÐ =  Ðto€a€general€atmosphere€unfavourable€to€childcare€leave,€absence€of€childcare€facilities,€inflexibleÐ & v Ðworking€management€and€perception€of€child„rearing€as€a€womanððs€responsibility.€In€order€toÐ  _ Ðaddress€the€burden€of€balancing€work€and€family,€and€the€rapidly€growing€trend€towards€fewerÐ ø H Ðchildren,€the€Government€had€adopted€an€immediate€action€plan€to€support€the€development€of€theÐ á 1  Ðnext€generation,€which€set€goals€for€increasing€the€percentage€of€men€who€took€childcare€leave.€AÐ Ê   Ðrelevant€law€would€make€it€mandatory€for€local€Governments€and€corporations€to€implement€actionÐ ³  Ðplans€over€the€next€10€years.€Furthermore,€the€law€for€the€welfare€of€fatherless€families€and€widowsÐ œì  Ðhad€been€revised€in€2002€in€response€to€the€growing€number€of€single„mother€families,€leading€toÐ …Õ  Ðan€expansion€of€measures€on€child„rearing,€employment,€economic€support€and€educationalÐ n¾  Ðexpenses.Ð W§  ÐÌ343.à  àThe€representative€stressed€the€Governmentððs€aim€to€increase€the€number€of€women€inÐ )y Ðpolicy„€and€decision„making.€For€example,€guidelines€on€the€recruitment€and€promotion€of€womenÐ b Ðnational€public€service€officers€were€being€implemented.€In€2002,€25€per€cent€of€members€ofÐ ûK Ðnational€policy€advisory€councils€were€women,€and€the€goal€was€to€reach€30€per€cent€by€2005.Ð ä4 ÐNevertheless,€women€held€only€8.9€per€cent€of€managerial€positions€in€Government€and€the€privateÐ Í Ðsector.€The€Council€for€Gender€Equality€had€identified€three€major€areas€for€concrete€action.€MostÐ ¶ Ðnotably,€it€took€the€unprecedented€step€of€recommending€a€numerical€goal€of€30€per€cent€women€inÐ Ÿï Ðleadership€positions€in€all€sectors€of€society€by€2020.Ð ˆØ ÐÌ344.à  àSteps€had€also€been€taken€to€change€stereotyped€perceptions€of€gender€roles€in€supportingÐ Zª Ðthe€balancing€of€work€and€family.€To€that€end,€education€and€information€activities€were€undertaken,Ð C“ Ðand€a€manual€to€ensure€that€government€publications€were€free€from€stereotyped€gender„role€imagesÐ ,| Ðhad€been€widely€distributed.€Under€the€auspices€of€the€Council€for€Gender€Equality,€a€genderÐ e Ðanalysis€of€the€tax,€social€security€and€employment€systems€had€been€conducted,€and€the€views€hadÐ þN Ðbeen€reflected€in€the€tax€systems€reforms€in€the€present€fiscal€year.Ð ç 7 ÐÌ345.à  àThe€representative€emphasized€that,€since€1995,€Japan€had€allocated€approximately€10€perÐ ¹" ! Ðcent€of€its€official€development€assistance€(ODA)€to€support€women€in€all€parts€of€the€world€in€suchÐ ¢#ò" Ðareas€as€education,€health€and€participation€in€economic€and€social€activities,€through€its€InitiativeÐ ‹$Û# Ðon€Women€in€Development.€The€total€ODA€of€Japan€averaged€around€$10€billion€per€annum.Ð t%Ä $ ÐÌ346.à  àIn€response€to€the€problem€of€trafficking€in€persons,€a€number€of€cases€had€been€brought,€andÐ F'–"& Ðinformation€was€being€exchanged€with€relevant€authorities€and€embassies€in€countries€of€origin€toÐ /(#' Ðprevent€trafficking€and€protect€victims.€Japan€supported€such€projects€and€had€hosted€meetingsÐ )h$( Ðaimed€at€eradicating€trafficking,€including€the€Second€World€Congress€against€Commercial€SexualÐ *Q%) ÐExploitation€of€Children€in€December€2001.€It€had€signed€the€United€Nations€Convention€againstÐ ê*:&* ÐTransnational€Organized€Crime€in€2000€and€its€supplementing€protocols€in€2002,€and€the€ratificationÐ Ó+#'+ Ðof€that€Convention€had€been€approved€by€the€Diet€in€May€2003.Ð ¼, (, ÐÐ ¥-õ(- Ð347.à  àIn€conclusion,€the€representative€stressed€the€Governmentððs€commitment€to€theÐ ° Ðimplementation€of€the€Convention€and€appreciated€the€important€role€of€the€Committee€on€theÐ ™é ÐElimination€of€Discrimination€against€Women,€as€indicated€in€its€ratification€of€the€amendment€toÐ ‚Ò Ðarticle€20,€paragraph€1,€of€the€Convention€in€June€2003.€The€representative€also€stressed€the€highÐ k» Ðimportance€and€value€the€Government€attached€to€cooperation€with€non„governmental€organizationsÐ T¤ Ðin€building€a€gender„equal€society€in€Japan.Ð =  ÐÌòòConcluding€comments€of€the€CommitteeóóÐ  _ ÐÌòòIntroductionóóÐ á 1  ÐÌ348.à  àThe€Committee€commends€the€State€party€for€the€quality€and€timely€submission€of€its€fourthÐ ³  Ðand€fifth€periodic€reports,€which€comply€with€the€Committeeððs€guidelines€for€the€preparation€ofÐ œì  Ðperiodic€reports.€It€expresses€appreciation€to€the€State€party€for€the€written€replies€to€the€issues€andÐ …Õ  Ðquestions€of€the€Committeeððs€pre„session€working€group€and€for€the€comprehensive€oralÐ n¾  Ðpresentation,€which€provided€additional€information€on€recent€developments€in€the€State€party.Ð W§  ÐÌ349.à  àThe€Committee€commends€the€State€party€for€having€sent€a€delegation,€headed€by€theÐ )y ÐDirector„General€of€the€Gender€Equality€Bureau.€The€Committee€appreciates€the€frank€andÐ b Ðconstructive€dialogue€that€took€place€between€the€delegation€and€the€members€of€the€Committee.Ð ûK ÐÌ350.à  àThe€Committee€notes€with€satisfaction€that€the€State€party€took€account€of€the€outcomeÐ Í Ðdocument€of€the€twenty„third€special€session€of€the€General€Assembly,€entitled€ð ðWomen€2000:Ð ¶ Ðgender€equality,€development€and€peace€for€the€twenty„first€centuryðð€in€formulating€its€Basic€PlanÐ Ÿï Ðfor€Gender€Equality€based€on€all€the€12€critical€areas€of€concern€of€the€Beijing€Platform€for€Action.Ð ˆØ ÐÌòòPositive€aspectsóóÐ Zª ÐÌ351.à  àThe€Committee€congratulates€the€State€party€for€its€important€achievements€in€the€promotionÐ ,| Ðof€equality€between€women€and€men€since€the€consideration€of€the€second€and€third€periodic€reports,Ð e Ðparticularly€the€enactment€in€June€1999€of€the€Basic€Law€for€a€Gender„equal€Society€and€the€BasicÐ þN ÐPlan€for€Gender€Equality€adopted€in€December€2000,€which€demonstrate€Japanððs€goals€for€andÐ ç 7 Ðpolicies€on€gender€equality.€It€also€appreciates€that€all€prefectures€are€implementing€their€own€plansÐ Ð!   Ðformulated€in€accordance€with€the€Basic€Law€and€notes€that€municipalities€that€have€not€yet€doneÐ ¹" ! Ðso€are€being€encouraged€to€formulate€plans€for€gender€equality€at€the€local€level.Ð ¢#ò" ÐÌ352.à  àThe€Committee€notes€with€appreciation€the€law€reform€undertaken€by€the€State€party€inÐ t%Ä $ Ðseveral€areas,€including€the€revision€of€the€Equal€Employment€Opportunity€Law€that€prohibitsÐ ]&­!% Ðdiscrimination€against€women€from€recruitment€to€retirement€and€obliges€managers€to€giveÐ F'–"& Ðconsideration€to€the€prevention€of€sexual€harassment€in€the€workplace;€the€2001€revision€of€the€ChildÐ /(#' ÐCare€and€Family€Care€Leave€Law€that€prohibits€disadvantageous€treatment€of€employees€becauseÐ )h$( Ðof€their€taking€childcare€leave;€the€2001€Law€for€the€Prevention€of€Spousal€Violence€and€theÐ *Q%) ÐProtection€of€Victims€that€provides€for€protection€orders;€and€the€2000€Law€on€Proscribing€StalkingÐ ê*:&* ÐBehaviour€and€Assisting€Victims€that€establishes€punishment€for€stalking.Ð Ó+#'+ ÐÌ353.à  àThe€Committee€welcomes€the€strengthening€of€the€national€machinery€with€the€establishmentÐ ¥-õ(- Ðof€the€Gender€Equality€Bureau€within€the€Cabinet€Office,€given€the€task€of€planning€andÐ ° Ðcoordinating€gender€equality€policies;€and€the€establishment€of€the€Council€for€Gender€EqualityÐ ™é Ðchaired€by€the€Chief€Cabinet€Secretary/Minister€of€State€for€Gender€Equality€and€comprised€ofÐ ‚Ò Ðministers€designated,€and€intellectuals€appointed,€by€the€Prime€Minister,€which€monitors€theÐ k» Ðimplementation€of€those€policies€and€surveys€the€effects€of€government€measures.Ð T¤ ÐÌ354.à  àThe€Committee€appreciates€the€State€partyððs€collaboration€with€womenððs€non„governmentalÐ & v Ðorganizations€in€the€preparation€of€the€reports,€as€suggested€in€the€Committeeððs€previous€concludingÐ  _ Ðcomments,€and€welcomes€the€State€partyððs€commitment€to€continue€to€strengthen€that€partnership.€Ð ø H ÐÌ355.à  àThe€Committee€commends€the€State€party€for€allocating,€under€the€Initiative€on€Women€inÐ Ê   ÐDevelopment,€approximately€10€per€cent€of€its€official€development€assistance€over€the€last€decadeÐ ³  Ðfor€womenððs€education,€health€and€economic€and€social€participation,€to€a€number€of€developingÐ œì  Ðcountries€in€various€parts€of€the€world.Ð …Õ  ÐÌ356.à  àThe€Committee€notes€with€appreciation€that€the€State€party€has€accepted€the€amendment€toÐ W§  Ðarticle€20,€paragraph€1,€of€the€Convention,€relating€to€the€Committeeððs€meeting€time.Ð @ ÐÌòòPrincipal€areas€of€concern€and€recommendationsóóÐ b ÐÌ357.à  àThe€Committee€expresses€concern€that,€while€the€Constitution€stipulates€equality€betweenÐ ä4 Ðthe€sexes,€no€specific€definition€of€discrimination€has€been€included€in€domestic€legislation.Ð Í ÐÌ358.à  àThe€Committee€recommends€that€a€definition€of€discrimination€against€women,Ð Ÿï Ðencompassing€both€direct€and€indirect€discrimination€in€line€with€article€1€of€the€Convention,€beÐ ˆØ Ðincluded€in€domestic€legislation.€It€also€recommends€campaigns€to€raise€awareness€about€theÐ qÁ ÐConvention,€in€particular€the€meaning€and€scope€of€indirect€discrimination,€aimed,€inter€alia,€atÐ Zª Ðparliamentarians,€the€judiciary€and€the€legal€profession€in€general.Ð C“ ÐÌ359.à  àWhile€appreciating€the€State€partyððs€recognition€that€the€long„standing€stereotypedÐ e Ðperception€of€gender€roles€remains€the€major€obstacle€to€achieving€equality€between€women€andÐ þN Ðmen€and€noting€its€efforts€based€on€regular€opinion€polls€in€this€regard,€the€Committee€remainsÐ ç 7 Ðconcerned€about€the€persistence€of€deeply€rooted€and€rigid€stereotypes€in€Japan€regarding€the€roleÐ Ð!   Ðand€responsibilities€of€women€and€men€in€the€family€and€in€society,€which€are€reflected€in€womenððsÐ ¹" ! Ðsituation€in€the€labour€market,€educational€choices€and€low€participation€in€political€and€public€life.€Ð ¢#ò" ÐÌ360.à  àThe€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€party€design€and€implement€comprehensiveÐ t%Ä $ Ðprogrammes€in€the€educational€system,€including€human€rights€education€and€gender€equalityÐ ]&­!% Ðtraining,€and€disseminate€information€on€the€Convention€and€the€Governmentððs€commitment€toÐ F'–"& Ðgender€equality,€with€a€view€to€changing€existing€stereotypical€attitudes€on€womenððs€and€menððsÐ /(#' Ðroles.€It€recommends€that€the€State€party€Ô_ÔdisaggregateÔ_Ô€its€surveys€and€opinion€polls,€not€only€by€sexÐ )h$( Ðbut€also€by€age€and,€on€the€basis€of€the€results€increase€targeted€efforts€at€advancing€the€notion€ofÐ *Q%) Ðparenting€as€a€social€responsibility€of€both€mothers€and€fathers.€It€recommends€that€awareness„Ð ê*:&* Ðraising€campaigns€be€intensified€and€that€the€media€be€encouraged€to€project€a€positive€image€ofÐ Ó+#'+ Ðwomen€and€of€the€equal€status€and€responsibilities€of€women€and€men€in€the€private€and€publicÐ ¼, (, Ðspheres.Ð ¥-õ(- Ї361.à  àWhile€acknowledging€legal€and€other€measures€by€the€State€party€to€address€violence€againstÐ ° Ðwomen,€the€Committee€is€concerned€about€the€prevalence€of€violence€against€women€and€girls€andÐ ™é Ðabout€womenððs€apparent€reluctance€to€seek€assistance€from€existing€public€institutions.€It€isÐ ‚Ò Ðconcerned€that€the€Law€for€the€Prevention€of€Spousal€Violence€and€the€Protection€of€VictimsÐ k» Ðcurrently€does€not€cover€forms€of€violence€other€than€physical€violence.€It€is€also€concerned€that€theÐ T¤ Ðpenalty€for€rape€is€relatively€lenient€and€that€incest€is€not€defined€explicitly€as€a€crime€under€theÐ =  ÐPenal€Code€but€is€dealt€with€indirectly€under€a€number€of€different€penal€provisions.€The€CommitteeÐ & v Ðis€further€concerned€about€the€particular€situation€of€foreign€women€who€experience€domesticÐ  _ Ðviolence€and€whose€immigration€status€might€depend€on€their€living€together€with€their€spouse.€TheÐ ø H ÐCommittee€is€concerned€that€fear€of€repatriation€might€be€a€deterrent€for€those€women€to€seekÐ á 1  Ðassistance€or€take€steps€to€seek€separation€or€divorce.€While€appreciative€of€the€comprehensiveÐ Ê   Ðinformation€provided€by€the€State€party€with€respect€to€the€measures€it€has€taken€before€and€afterÐ ³  Ðthe€Committeeððs€consideration€of€the€second€and€third€periodic€reports€of€the€State€party€with€respectÐ œì  Ðto€the€issue€of€ð ðwartime€comfort€womenðð,€the€Committee€notes€the€ongoing€concerns€about€theÐ …Õ  Ðissue.Ð n¾  ÐÌ362.à  àThe€Committee€calls€upon€the€State€party€to€intensify€its€efforts€to€address€the€issue€ofÐ @ Ðviolence€against€women,€including€domestic€violence,€as€an€infringement€of€their€human€rights.€InÐ )y Ðparticular,€the€Committee€urges€the€State€party€to€broaden€the€Law€for€the€Prevention€of€SpousalÐ b ÐViolence€and€the€Protection€of€Victims€so€as€to€include€different€forms€of€violence,€increase€theÐ ûK Ðpenalty€for€rape€and€include€incest€as€a€specific€crime€in€its€penal€legislation,€and€implement€policiesÐ ä4 Ðin€accordance€with€the€Committeeððs€general€recommendation€19,€in€order€to€prevent€violence;Ð Í Ðprovide€protection,€support€and€other€services€to€the€victims;€and€punish€offenders.€The€CommitteeÐ ¶ Ðrecommends€that€revocation€of€residence€permits€of€foreign€but€separated€married€women€whoÐ Ÿï Ðexperience€domestic€violence€be€undertaken€only€after€a€full€assessment€of€the€impact€of€suchÐ ˆØ Ðmeasures€on€those€women.€The€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€party€endeavour€to€find€aÐ qÁ Ðlasting€solution€for€the€matter€of€ð ðwartime€comfort€womenðð.Ð Zª ÐÌ363.à  àWhile€recognizing€the€efforts€made€by€the€State€party€to€address€trafficking€in€women€andÐ ,| Ðgirls,€including€its€cooperation€for€prevention€and€investigation€with€law€enforcement€andÐ e Ðimmigration€authorities€in€countries€of€origin€and€transit€in€the€Asia„Pacific€region,€the€CommitteeÐ þN Ðis€concerned€that€information€on€the€extent€of€the€problem€is€insufficient€and€the€punishment€forÐ ç 7 Ðperpetrators€under€current€laws€too€lenient.Ð Ð!   ÐÌ364.à  àThe€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€party€increase€its€efforts€to€combat€trafficking€inÐ ¢#ò" Ðwomen€and€girls.€It€requests€the€State€party€to€systematically€monitor€the€phenomenon€and€compileÐ ‹$Û# Ðdetailed€data€reflecting€the€age€and€national€origin€of€victims,€with€a€view€to€formulating€aÐ t%Ä $ Ðcomprehensive€strategy€to€address€the€problem€and€ensure€that€penalties€for€perpetrators€areÐ ]&­!% Ðappropriate.€The€Committee€requests€the€State€party€to€provide€in€its€next€report€comprehensiveÐ F'–"& Ðinformation€and€data€on€the€trafficking€of€women€and€girls€as€well€as€on€measures€taken€in€thisÐ /(#' Ðregard.Ð )h$( ÐÌ365.à  àThe€Committee€expresses€concern€about€the€lack€of€information€in€the€reports€about€theÐ ê*:&* Ðsituation€of€minority€women€in€Japan.€It€also€expresses€concern€at€the€multiple€forms€ofÐ Ó+#'+ Ðdiscrimination€and€Ô_ÔmarginalizationÔ_Ô€that€these€groups€of€women€may€face€with€respect€to€education,Ð ¼, (, Ðemployment,€health,€social€welfare€and€exposure€to€violence,€including€within€their€ownÐ ¥-õ(- Ðcommunities.Ð ° ÐÌ366.à  àThe€Committee€requests€the€State€party€to€provide,€in€its€next€report,€comprehensiveÐ ‚Ò Ðinformation,€including€Ô_ÔdisaggregatedÔ_Ô€data,€on€the€situation€of€minority€women€in€Japan,€especiallyÐ k» Ðwith€regard€to€their€educational,€employment€and€health€status€and€exposure€to€violence.Ð T¤ ÐÌ367.à  àWhile€welcoming€the€guidelines€for€the€expansion€of€recruitment€and€promotion€of€womenÐ & v Ðin€national€advisory€councils€and€the€setting€of€a€numerical€goal€of€30€per€cent€for€leadershipÐ  _ Ðpositions€in€all€sectors€of€society€by€the€year€2020,€the€Committee€is€concerned€about€the€lowÐ ø H Ðrepresentation€of€women€in€high„level€elected€bodies€including€in€the€Diet,€local€assemblies,€theÐ á 1  Ðjudiciary€and€the€diplomatic€service,€and€as€mayors,€prosecutors€and€police.Ð Ê   ÐÌ368.à  àThe€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€party€take€further€measures€to€increase€theÐ œì  Ðrepresentation€of€women€in€political€and€public€life€through,€inter€alia,€the€implementation€ofÐ …Õ  Ðtemporary€special€measures,€in€accordance€with€article€4,€paragraph€1,€of€the€Convention,€in€orderÐ n¾  Ðto€realize€womenððs€right€to€participation€in€all€areas€of€public€life,€particularly€at€high€levels€ofÐ W§  Ðpolicy„€and€decision„making.€The€Committee€urges€the€State€party€to€support€training€programmesÐ @ Ðfor€future€women€leaders€and€carry€out€awareness„raising€campaigns€regarding€the€importance€ofÐ )y Ðwomenððs€representation€in€decision„making€for€achieving€gender€equality.Ð b ÐÌ369.à  àThe€Committee€is€concerned€at€the€existing€wage€gap€between€women€and€men,€stemmingÐ ä4 Ðlargely€from€the€difference€in€type€of€work,€horizontal€and€vertical€employment€segregation€asÐ Í Ðexpressed€by€the€two„track€employment€management€system,€and€the€lack€of€understandingÐ ¶ Ðregarding€the€practice€and€the€effects€of€indirect€discrimination€as€expressed€in€governmentalÐ Ÿï Ðguidelines€to€the€Equal€Employment€Opportunity€Law.€The€Committee€is€further€concerned€by€theÐ ˆØ Ðhigh€percentage€of€women€in€part„time€work€and€by€women€who€are€ð ðdispatch€workersðð,€whoseÐ qÁ Ðsalaries€are€lower€than€those€working€in€a€regular€situation.€The€Committee€is€deeply€concernedÐ Zª Ðabout€the€difficulties€faced€primarily€by€women€in€reconciling€their€personal€and€family€lives€withÐ C“ Ðprofessional€and€public€responsibilities.Ð ,| ÐÌ370.à  àThe€Committee€urges€the€State€party€to€amend€its€guidelines€to€the€Equal€EmploymentÐ þN ÐOpportunity€Law€and€to€increase€its€efforts€towards€accelerating€the€achievement€of€de€facto€equalÐ ç 7 Ðopportunities€for€women€and€men€in€the€labour€market€through,€inter€alia,€the€use€of€temporaryÐ Ð!   Ðspecial€measures€in€accordance€with€article€4,€paragraph€1,€of€the€Convention.€The€CommitteeÐ ¹" ! Ðrecommends€that€efforts€be€made€to€eliminate€occupational€segregation,€both€horizontal€and€vertical,Ð ¢#ò" Ðthrough,€inter€alia,€education€and€training,€effective€enforcement€mechanisms€and€systematicÐ ‹$Û# Ðmonitoring€of€progress.€The€Committee€recommends€that€measures€allowing€for€the€reconciliationÐ t%Ä $ Ðof€family€and€professional€responsibilities€be€intensified,€that€equal€sharing€of€domestic€and€familyÐ ]&­!% Ðtasks€between€women€and€men€be€promoted,€and€that€changes€to€the€stereotypical€expectations€ofÐ F'–"& Ðwomenððs€roles€in€the€family€and€labour€market€be€encouraged.Ð /(#' ÐÌ371.à  àThe€Committee€expresses€concern€that€the€Civil€Code€still€contains€discriminatoryÐ *Q%) Ðprovisions,€including€those€with€respect€to€the€minimum€age€for€marriage,€the€waiting€periodÐ ê*:&* Ðrequired€for€women€to€remarry€after€divorce€and€the€choice€of€surnames€for€married€couples.€It€isÐ Ó+#'+ Ðalso€concerned€about€discrimination€in€law€and€administrative€practice€against€children€born€out€ofÐ ¼, (, Ðwedlock€with€regard€to€registration€and€inheritance€rights€and€the€resulting€considerable€impact€onÐ ¥-õ(- Ðwomen.Ð ° ÐÌ372.à  àThe€Committee€requests€the€State€party€to€repeal€discriminatory€legal€provisions€that€stillÐ ‚Ò Ðexist€in€the€Civil€Code€and€to€bring€legislation€and€administrative€practice€into€line€with€theÐ k» ÐConvention.Ð T¤ ÐÌ373.à  àWhile€noting€with€satisfaction€that€the€Government€submitted€a€Human€Rights€ProtectionÐ & v ÐBill€to€the€Diet€in€March€2002,€the€Committee€is€concerned€about€the€independence€of€the€proposedÐ  _ Ðhuman€rights€commission,€which€would€be€placed€under€the€Ministry€of€Justice.Ð ø H ÐÌ374.à  àThe€Committee€recommends€that€the€human€rights€commission€proposed€in€the€HumanÐ Ê   ÐRights€Protection€Bill€be€established€in€accordance€with€the€principles€relating€to€the€status€ofÐ ³  Ðnational€institutions€for€the€promotion€and€protection€of€human€rights€(General€Assembly€resolutionÐ œì  Ð48/134€of€20€December€1993,€annex,€known€as€the€ð ðParis€Principlesðð)€in€order€to€ensure€that€it€willÐ …Õ  Ðbe€an€independent€institution€and€adequately€address€womenððs€human€rights.Ð n¾  ÐÌ375.à  àThe€Committee€encourages€the€State€party€to€continue€to€consider€the€ratification€of€theÐ @ ÐOptional€Protocol€to€the€Convention,€while€noting€the€concerns€expressed€by€the€State€party€in€itsÐ )y Ðfifth€periodic€report.€The€Committee€strongly€believes€that€the€mechanisms€available€under€theÐ b ÐOptional€Protocol€would€strengthen€the€independence€of€the€judiciary€and€assist€it€in€understandingÐ ûK Ðdiscrimination€against€women.Ð ä4 ÐÌ376.à  àThe€Committee€urges€the€State€party€to€respond€in€its€next€periodic€report,€due€in€2006,€toÐ ¶ Ðthe€specific€issues€raised€in€the€present€concluding€comments.€The€Committee€also€urges€the€StateÐ Ÿï Ðparty€to€collect€and€analyse€comprehensive€data€Ô_ÔdisaggregatedÔ_Ô€by€sex€and€age€and€to€include€suchÐ ˆØ Ðdata€in€its€next€report.€It€also€requests€that€the€report€highlight€information€on€results€and€the€impactÐ qÁ Ðof€legislation,€policies€and€programmes€in€the€implementation€of€the€Convention.Ð Zª ÐÌ377.à  àThe€Committee€requests€that€the€text€of€the€present€concluding€comments€be€widelyÐ ,| Ðdisseminated€in€Japan€so€as€to€inform€the€public,€in€particular€administrators,€officials€andÐ e Ðpoliticians,€of€the€meaÔ_ÔsuresÔ_Ô€taken€to€guarantee€de€jure€and€de€facto€equality€between€men€andÐ þN Ðwomen€and€of€the€supplementary€measures€to€be€adopted€in€that€area.€The€Committee€also€urges€theÐ ç 7 ÐState€party€to€continue€to€give€broad€publicity€to€the€Convention,€its€Optional€Protocol,€the€generalÐ Ð!   Ðrecommendations€of€the€Committee,€the€Beijing€Declaration€and€Platform€for€Action,€and€the€resultsÐ ¹" ! Ðof€the€twenty„third€special€session€of€the€General€Assembly,€entitled€ð ðWomen€2000:€gender€equality,Ð ¢#ò" Ðdevelopment€and€peace€for€the€twenty„first€centuryðð,€particularly€among€womenððs€associations€andÐ ‹$Û# Ðhuman€rights€organizations.Ð t%Ä $ ÐÌ378.à  àTaking€account€of€the€gender€dimensions€of€declarations,€programmes€and€platforms€forÐ F'–"& Ðaction€adopted€by€relevant€United€Nations€conferences,€summits€and€special€sessions€(such€as€theÐ /(#' Ðspecial€session€of€the€General€Assembly€to€review€and€appraise€the€implementation€of€theÐ )h$( ÐProgramme€of€Action€of€the€International€Conference€on€Population€and€Development€(the€twenty„Ð *Q%) Ðfirst€special€session),€the€special€session€of€the€General€Assembly€on€children€(the€twenty„seventhÐ ê*:&* Ðsession),€the€World€Conference€against€Racism,€Racial€Discrimination,€Xenophobia€and€RelatedÐ Ó+#'+ ÐIntolerance€and€the€Second€World€Assembly€on€Ageing),€the€Committee€requests€the€State€party€toÐ ¼, (, Ðinclude€information€on€the€implementation€of€aspects€of€those€documents€relating€to€relevant€articlesÐ ¥-õ(- Ðof€the€Convention€in€its€next€periodic€report.Ð ° ÐÔUK.,CE.,¢DÔ