The 48th Session of the Human Rights Council Item 3: ID with Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of slavery, Statement of Japan by Minister Counsellor TAGUCHI Kazuho, Permanent Mission of Japan in Geneva (17 September 2021)

 
Thank you, Madam President.
 
Japan appreciates the active work of the Special Rapporteur. The report focuses on displaced persons as a type of vulnerable groups.
 
In addition to covering the risks faced by displaced persons, this report includes information on good practices such as social and labor policies in different countries. This makes the report beneficial to various stakeholders.
 
In order to address this issue, it is important to comply with labor laws and regulations, and for each country to ensure a business environment. The Government of Japan, launched its National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights” last October to protect and promote human rights in society as a whole. In addition to its welfare system to prevent vulnerable groups from falling into poverty, Japan has been working on social and labor policies that do not create disparities, such as raising the minimum wage to support low-skilled workers and providing a safety net to protect foreign workers that includes unemployment insurance and ensuring payment of wages.
 
Mister Special Rapporteur,
 
What role do you think the Human Rights Council and human rights mechanism can play in fostering international cooperation to address the issue of contemporary forms of slavery, and how should they go about this work?
 
I thank you, Madam President.