A/60/283 C. Field missions 28. The Special Rapporteur visited Japan from 3 to 12 July 2005. The mission will be the subject of a comprehensive report to the Commission on Human Rights at its sixty-second session in March 2006. The Special Rapporteur’s visit took place in excellent conditions owing to the openness and full cooperation of the Japanese authorities, NGOs and the communities concerned. 29. During his mission, the Special Rapporteur visited Osaka, Kyoto, Tokyo, the island of Hokkaido (Sapporo, Niburani and Hakuro) and Chubu in Aichi prefecture, before ending his visit in Tokyo. He met the Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs, representatives of various ministries, representatives of the judiciary, and local government representatives from Osaka, Kyoto, Tokyo and Sapporo. He also met representatives of civil society and the communities concerned, and visited communities in the areas in which they live. 30. Following his visit, the Special Rapporteur shared his initial observations with the Japanese Government. Racism, discrimination and xenophobia are a reality in Japanese society. This discrimination affects, in different ways, three communities or groups: national minorities (Ainus, Burakumin and the people of Okinawa), the Korean and Chinese communities, and immigrants from Asia, the Middle East, Africa and Europe. The sense that there is a lack of awareness about the deep historical and cultural roots of this discrimination is illustrated simultaneously by the recurring controversy surrounding the way in which certain episodes of Japan’s history are written, particularly vis-à-vis its historical relations with neighbours such as the Korean peninsula and China, by the recurrence of the xenophobic and racist discourse of certain political figures, for example the Governor of Tokyo, and by the lack of comprehensive national legislation against racism, discrimination and xenophobia. In this regard, Japan faces two major challenges: it must bring its internal social, human and cultural structures into line with its global dimension at the political and economic levels and, as a result, build a multicultural society. By inviting the Special Rapporteur to visit the country and facilitating his visit, movements and contacts, the Japanese Government has demonstrated its willingness to meet the serious challenges of racism, discrimination and xenophobia. 31. The Special Rapporteur will submit a detailed report on this mission to the Commission on Human Rights at its sixty-second session. The report will contain specific recommendations based on additional information that he will be receiving from the communities concerned and civil society and on the Japanese Government’s comments on his draft report. III. Manifestations of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance A. Treatment of foreign nationals, asylum-seekers, refugees and immigrants in waiting areas 32. The Special Rapporteur’s attention has been drawn to the racist and xenophobic treatment, in many States, of asylum-seekers, refugees and immigrants in waiting areas, particularly airports, ports and stations. In his view, this is an indication that racism, discrimination and xenophobia are on the increase. Indeed, 12