From the 27th to the 28th of May, Japan's first report was deliberated by the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC). The Japanese government dispatched a total of 23 representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Health and Welfare, the National Police Agency, and the Management and Coordination Agency. Also from Japan, about 70 people related to NGO's inspected the deliberations.
In JCLU's regular assembly on July 4, Mr. Yuji Hirano, a member of the Federation for the Protection of Children's Human Rights Japan who attended all of the 2nd through 18th deliberations, made a report on its main points, and Mr. Yasuhiro Yoshimine, a lawyer, also made a report concerning the CRC report and the conditions of NGO's and lobbying. Both Mr. Hirano and Mr. Yoshimine gave information of great significance, but of all questions and discussions, most concentrated on the issue of minority problems and the present state of lobbying.
Minority problems especially of Koreans residing in Japan, which is one of the most significant problems in Japan, needs deliberate and thorough consideration. Unfortunately, such deed has not yet been realized. For example, in 1965, it was declared that Korean Schools in Japan were not considered as vocational schools by Ministry of Education. However in the case of examinations, the Ministry of Education states that, "Korean Schools in Japan are recognized as vocational schools," and acts as if it has always been that way. Such Japanese government's inconsistency in words and practice apparently show their insincerity, and bring doubts to intended productive relations between the committee and the government.
Continuously, the Japanese government has responded unfaithfully to other problems. Merely reading and repeating answers to the documents which had been previously submitted, the government showed no improvements in their answers, which they had the chance of improving through the experience of the past three examinations by the Human Rights Committee.
Also, an involved party, a Korean student residing in Japan was in Geneva, and having coordinated between NGOs, hastily he was asked to manage a presentation for the briefing of committees before the deliberation date. By viewing this series of events, it was deduced that it would have been more effective if there had been more exchange and coordination beforehand between NGOs.
From this deliberation and the opinions adopted on June 5th, it can be said that the main themes and problems were nearly all covered. As for the first deliberation, the resolution was that of fruitful discussion leading to the future. Also, new accomplishment was made; NHK, Kansai TV, and a German TV crew entered and attended the deliberation. This fact, which was never realized previously, symbolize the mark of great advance made through this deliberation.
However, there still are problems such as Japanese NGO's way of conducting hearings, relations to liaison officers (the window to the NGO, and the connection to CRC) and the mass media, and the growth in the amount and number of inaccurate NGO reports need to be clarified. Moreover, the NGOs in relation to the Rights of the Child tend to not fully consider developmental aid, the world's child problems, and the other United Nation's organizations concerning Human Rights. CRC need to be considered comprehensively both from integral and differential perspectives.
As stated above, there are variety of problems yet to be solved; however, in short, such are also the motivations and the goals for the next Human Rights Committee which is coming next October. Here, we have reconfirmed our activities and policies.