E/CN.4/2002/24 page 30 “2. Dowa measures implemented by the Japanese Government: The Government of Japan, recognizing that the urgent solution of this issue is a national problem, has been promoting necessary and effective special measures for more than three decades based on three special laws: The Law on Special Measures for Dowa Projects (1969-1982); The Law on Special Measures for Regional Improvement (1982-1987); The Law Concerning Special Government Financial Measures for Regional Improvement Special Projects (1987-). “Here special measures implies public projects whose objects are Dowa regions and those Dowa people who live there. These Dowa special measures aim to eliminate discrimination through improving economic conditions and the poor living environment in Dowa regions. “3. Performance of the special measures: For special measures [undertaken] from 1969 through 1993, about 13 trillion yen (65.1 billion dollars) were expended by central and local governments (see table). This means 73,000 US dollars were spent for each Dowa person during this period. Undoubtedly this has been one of the biggest national projects. By extended social investment the Dowa situation has substantially improved, namely, the situation in which a poor living environment encourages discrimination has been eased. Education to reduce and discourage discrimination has also been [undertaken by means of] various methods and devices. For instance, according to the 1998 national government (Management and Coordination Agency) Dowa survey, the following facts were clarified: 1. Housing conditions in Dowa areas are as good as the national. 2. The social infrastructure of roads and farmland in Dowa areas is much better than the national average. 3. Intermarriage has increased. “These statistics show that discriminatory feelings among the people are steadily decreasing. So, in effect, the Dowa issue is improving rapidly. This improvement is attributed not only to the effect of the Dowa special measures, but also to the big change in the industrial structure and employment structure in the course of the high economic growth of post-war Japan. “4. New phase of the Dowa issue: After the end of the transitional period in 2002, measures in Dowa areas will be implemented like in all other areas, which does not mean that no measures will be taken in Dowa areas. Discrimination against Dowa is steadily decreasing. The Government of Japan is eagerly promoting [programmes of] human rights education and enlightenment, which have been restructured from those aiming at dissolving discrimination against Dowa. Actually, the national budget expenditure for human rights education has trebled in the last two years.