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In Response to the Presentation of the Report of the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance on his Mission to Japan.
On behalf of IMADR, joined by a large number of minority groups and NGOs in Japan, we would like to thank the Special Rapporteur on racism, Mr. Doudou Diene, for his mission to Japan.
We welcome the mission report, recognizing that it is the first UN document to address racism, racial discrimination and xenophobia in Japan in a comprehensive way dealing not only with the legal aspects of these issues but also with their social and historical context. We are also encouraged by Mr. Diene's commitment to its follow-up, including his recent unofficial visit to Japan. It is our pleasure to inform him that minority groups in Japan have already begun promoting the report and working jointly towards implementation of its visions and recommendations in Japanese society.
While welcoming the Government's acceptance of the visit, we regret their generally reluctant attitude towards the report, in particular their dismissal thereof as a mere personal opinion. We are also aware that the Government is of the view that many of Mr. Diene's remarks are outside his mandate. In order to truly eliminate racism and racial discrimination from any society however, we need to focus not only on the effects of discrimination but also on the underlying social, economic and political structures and history of discrimination. From that perspective we believe that the report has in no way exceeded the mandate of the Special Rapporteur.
Using this report as a starting point, we hope to foster a multicultural society in Japan, where all minorities are respected and have their place. The minorities and NGOs in Japan hope to expand their network, and continue to work together with the Special Rapporteur.
We have issued extensive comments which are also available to those interested upon request.