2003.5.2
The Japanese government, on its own responsibility, should take necessary action against discriminatory remarks made by public officials, especially those in high ranks and implement an appropriate training (program) to prevent further recurrence.
Not mentioned in the fourth nor fifth report of the government.
The incumbent Tokyo governor made comments implying that the ?ld women who have lost their reproductive function are not worth living·(see the Background below). This remark is a violent, discriminatory act against women. It gauges a woman? value by her reproductive function.
In March 2001, the Committee on the Elimination of the Racial Discrimination (CERD) has noted with concern regarding discriminatory statements made by the same public official (See the Background below).
Paragraph 13 of the Committee? Observations to the Japanese government points out that ?tatements of discriminatory character made by high-level public officials and, in particular, the lack of administrative or legal action taken by the authorities as a consequence in violation of article 4 (c) of the Convention.·
Article 2(d) of the CEDAW prohibits discriminatory conduct by the government. However, the Japanese government has not reported any discriminatory remarks and acts made by public officials so far.
Sexual harassment scandals by high ranking public officials happened repeatedly. Examples include the Osaka governor of April 1999, and the Aomori governor of February 2001. The Japanese government has not taken necessary action against these governors·sexual harassments.
These recurring discriminatory acts by high public officials show that the Japanese government has not only not taken any meas??œT?ures to implement recommendations from the UN, but the government has no intent to deal with the discriminatory acts of the public officials, leaving the problem as it is. The indifference of Japanese government has helped discriminatory acts prevail against women in Japanese society.
The JCLU suggests that the Japanese government, on its own responsibility, should take necessary action against discriminatory remarks made by public officials, especially those in the high ranks, and implement an appropriate training (program) to prevent further recurrence.
(Ishihara answering the Interviewer, referring to a theory he had read), ?t is said that the ?ld women is the worst evil and malignant being that the civilization have produced.· It says that the ?ld women who lives after they have lost their reproductive function are useless and are committing a sin.· Men have reproductive functions even in their 80s and their 90s, however, women can not bear children after they reach their menopause. It says that it is evil and malicious for the world that these people live until the age of Kinsan and Ginsan (famous twin sisters over 100 years of age) ... I agree with the idea, but can not say it as a politician (laughter).· (From the Interview article of ?hukan Josei· December 11, 2001 issue)
The Governor admitted the charge that he had made those remarks, but counter-reacted to the pursuit from the Metropolitan parliament by saying that the old women are tyrant beings. (December 11, 2001)
The recommendation by CERD referred to the hate speech made by the governor slandering Korean and Chinese as they threat security in Tokyo.
The incumbent Osaka governor Knock Yokoyama who ran for his second term was indicted for indecent assault against a female university student working on his campaign staff during the Osaka gubernatorial election April 1999. He was convicted in August 2000. Although once re-elected, Yokoyama resigned his position on the governor over the scandal. Considering his resignation, he was put on three years·probation under suspended sentence of 1 1/2 years·imprisonment.
The weekly magazine reported in its February 6, 2003 issue that Aomori governor Morio Kimura had frequently visited a woman on social welfare, and molested her by touching her body in March 2001. It was learned just after Kimura was re-elected for his third term. In response to the alleged scandal, a no-confidence motion was submitted to the prefectural assembly, but it was voted out by a narrow margin.