CRC/C/15/Add.231
page 11
(f)
language;
Children of minorities have very limited opportunities for education in their own
(g)
Despite review procedures, some history textbooks are incomplete or one-sided.
50.
The Committee recommends that the State party:
(a)
Taking into account the views of students, parents and relevant
non-governmental organizations, review the curriculum with a view to reducing the
competitiveness of the school system while maintaining a high level of quality of education
so as to ensure that all students graduating from high school have equal access to higher
education;
(b)
Develop measures, in collaboration with students and parents, to effectively
address problems and conflicts in schools, in particular violence, including bullying;
(c)
Encourage the Tokyo authorities to reconsider the closing down of night
schools, and to expand alternative forms of education;
(d)
Expand opportunities for children from minority groups to enjoy their own
culture, profess or practise their own religion and use their own language;
(e)
Strengthen review procedures for textbooks to ensure that they present a
balanced view.
8. Special protection measures
Sexual exploitation and trafficking
51.
As noted in paragraph 3 above, the Committee welcomes the adoption and
implementation of the Law on Punishing Acts related to Child Prostitution and Child
Pornography and on Protecting Children (1999). However, it is concerned that:
(a)
The Penal Code maintains a narrow definition of rape as an act committed by a
male against a female;
(b)
All victims of sexual exploitation do not have access to appropriate recovery and
assistance services;
(c)
There have been reports of child victims being treated as criminals;
(d)
There have been reports of the practice of “enjo kosai”, or compensated dating;
(e)
The low minimum age of consent, which might contribute to the practice of
“enjo kosai”, hampers the prosecution of sexual abuse of children.