CCPR/C/JPN/CO/6 United Nations International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights Distr.: General 20 August 2014 Original: English Human Rights Committee Concluding observations on the sixth periodic report of Japan* 1. The Committee considered the sixth periodic report submitted by Japan (CCPR/C/JPN/6) at its 3080th and 3081st meetings (CCPR/C/SR.3080 and CCPR/C/SR.3081), held on 15 and 16 July 2014. At its 3091st and 3092nd meetings (CCPR/C/SR.3091 and CCPR/C/SR.3092), held on 23 July 2014, it adopted the following concluding observations. A. Introduction 2. The Committee welcomes the submission of the sixth periodic report of Japan and the information presented therein. It expresses appreciation for the opportunity to renew its constructive dialogue with the State party’s delegation on the measures that the State party has taken during the reporting period to implement the provisions of the Covenant. The Committee is grateful to the State party for its written replies (CCPR/C/JPN/Q/6/Add.1) and supplementary information to the list of issues, which were supplemented by the oral responses provided by the delegation, and for the supplementary information provided to it in writing. B. Positive aspects 3. The Committee welcomes the following legislative and institutional steps taken by the State party: (a) The adoption of the Action Plan to Combat Trafficking in Persons, in December 2009; (b) The approval of the Third Basic Plan for Gender Equality, in December 2010; (c) The amendment of the Publicly Operated Housing Act in 2012, to the effect that same-sex couples are no longer excluded from the publicly operated housing system; * Adopted by the Committee at its 111th session (7–25 July 2014). GE.14-14249 (E) *1414249*