UN rights expert expresses concern about sexual abuse in Japan

A U.N. human rights expert expressed concern Wednesday about various “challenges” in Japan, including alleged sexual exploitation and abuse of talent contracted to a major Tokyo-based entertainment agency and discrimination against sexual minorities.

Speaking at a session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Robert McCorquodale, head of the working group that published a report on Japan-related problems last month, recommended the establishment of an “independent” national institution to deal with the problems. He mentioned the scandal involving the company formerly known as Johnny & Associates Inc.

Experts also pointed to “unacceptable” shortcomings in the remedies provided to victims of sexual abuse linked to the agency, which has now been renamed Smile-Up Inc., and noted the failure of Japan’s legal system to prohibit discrimination against LGBTQI+ people.

During Wednesday’s session, an alleged victim of sexual abuse by the agency’s founder Johnny Kitagawa, who died in 2019, made a video statement calling on Japanese media and companies not to ignore victims in such cases and favor the perpetrators.

Akimasa Nihongi also urged the Japanese government to “take the necessary steps to create a society where children are protected,” adding that “victims of sexual assault can no longer be ignored, harassed and silenced.”

Nihongi, who moved to Ireland after reporting to the police to protect his family following the harassment campaign, told Kyodo News that he rejects “a society where those who speak out against sexual abuse are subjected to slander and attacks, which ends in suicide.” “

“I would like the international community to know how serious this problem is in Japan,” he said.

Atsuyuki Oike, Japan’s ambassador to international organizations in Geneva, said Tokyo did not agree with all the points made in the report because the findings needed to be verified. However, he expressed hope that future activities of the working group would reflect a greater diversity of opinions and would be conducted efficiently and effectively.

“The Japanese government will continue to consider measures to support business and human rights, while attaching importance to dialogue,” Oike said.

McCorquodale said progress in the country’s implementation of the UN principles on business and human rights is crucial to cementing Japan’s reputation as a leader in promoting both, regionally and globally.

The remarks were presented during the world body’s 56th session of the council, as the working group on business and human rights presented the findings of its first visit to Japan in July and August 2023.

In its report, the working group highlighted forced contracts and other abuses in the Japanese idol industry, where young performers are often forced to meet stringent requirements with harsh penalties for non-compliance.

The report pointed out that small and medium-sized enterprises have a particularly low level of awareness of the UN human rights guidelines, referring to the poor working conditions of workers at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, which is undergoing clean-up following the meltdown crisis caused by the 2011 earthquake and tsunami. r.

The working group also highlighted ongoing discrimination against women, LGBTQI+ people, people with disabilities, indigenous peoples and other minority groups, as well as structural inequalities and issues of exploitation in the Asian country.

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