Summary

The Working Group on the issue of human rights and transnational corporations and other business enterprises visited Japan from 24 July to 4 August 2023. The Working Group was encouraged by the important advancements of Japan, including developing a national action plan on business and human rights and issuing the Guidelines on Respecting Human Rights in Responsible Supply Chains. However, challenges remain concerning the business community’s capacity to understand and implement human rights due diligence across value chains. The Working Group also expressed concern about the significant difficulties observed in addressing deeply embedded harmful gender and social norms, which was particularly evident in the workplace discrimination and harassment experienced by women, Indigenous Peoples, Buraku people, persons with disabilities, migrant workers and LGBTQI+ persons, among other groups. Government and business initiatives to promote diversity and inclusion and to safeguard the rights of these at-risk groups are crucial moving forward.