E UNITED NATIONS Economic and Social Council Distr. GENERAL E/C.12/1/Add.67 24 September 2001 Original: ENGLISH COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC SOCIAL AND CULTURAL RIGHTS Twenty-sixth (extraordinary) session 13-31 August 2001 CONSIDERATION OF REPORTS SUBMITTED BY STATES PARTIES UNDER ARTICLES 16 AND 17 OF THE COVENANT Concluding observations of the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights JAPAN 1. The Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights considered the second periodic report of Japan on the implementation of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (E/1990/6/Add.21) at its 42nd and 43rd meetings (E/C.12/2001/SR.42 and 43), held on 21 August 2001, and adopted, at its 56th meeting (E/C.12/2001/SR.56), held on 30 August 2001, the following concluding observations. A. Introduction 2. The Committee welcomes the second periodic report of the State party, which was in general conformity with the Committee’s guidelines. The Committee welcomes the open and constructive dialogue with the delegation, which consisted of experts on the issues relevant to the Covenant, and its willingness to answer the questions posed by the Committee. B. Positive aspects 3. The Committee notes that the State party ranks as one of the most developed countries in the world (ninth on the UNDP Human Development Index ranking), with the world’s second-largest economy, and that it has achieved high levels of enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights for the majority of its citizens. GE.01-44769 (E)