The 58th Session of the Human Rights Council, Item 3: Interactive dialogue with SRSG on Violence against Children, Statement by Ambassador OIKE Atsuyuki (12 March 2025)

 　Thank you, Mr. Vice-President.
Japan thanks the Special Representative for her report and welcomes the progress achieved through her efforts, especially the launch of the Pathfinding Global Alliance on Ending Violence against Children in Bogotá last November.

　As a pathfinding country, Japan will renew its efforts, led by the Children and Families Agency, which was established in April 2023 to promote the rights and well-being of children. Let me highlight some of our efforts.

　Last June, we enacted legislation to prevent sexual violence against children, obligating schools and childcare providers to take measures to ensure that children are safe from sexual violence, including conducting sex offender background checks for the protection of children.
We have also enhanced the support system for the prevention of child abuse at the municipal level by promoting the establishment of Child and Family Centers to provide early and comprehensive consultation and support to all expectant and nursing mothers, to households with children, as well as to children themselves.

　Violence against children should never be tolerated and we must renew our efforts to achieve Target 16.2 of the SDGs. We will continue our efforts to end violence against children.

　I thank you, Mr. Vice-President.