UNITED NATIONS CCPR International covenant on civil and political rights Distr. GENERAL CCPR/C/JPN/CO/5 18 December 2008 Original: ENGLISH HUMAN RIGHTS COMMITTEE Ninety-fourth session Geneva, 13-31 October 2008 CONSIDERATION OF REPORTS SUBMITTED BY STATES PARTIES UNDER ARTICLE 40 OF THE COVENANT Concluding observations of the Human Rights Committee JAPAN 1. The Human Rights Committee considered the fifth periodic report submitted by Japan (CCPR/C/JPN/5) at its 2574th, 2575th and 2576th meetings (CCPR/C/SR.2574, 2575 and 2576), held on 15 and 16 October 2008, and adopted the concluding observations below at its 2592nd, 2593rd and 2594th meetings (CCPR/C/SR.2592, 2593 and 2594), held on 28 and 29 October 2008. A. Introduction 2. The Committee welcomes the State party’s comprehensive fifth periodic report and written replies to the list of issues and the detailed answers given by the delegation to the Committee’s oral questions. It notes, however, that the report was submitted in December 2006, although it was due in October 2002. The Committee appreciates the presence of a large high-level inter-ministerial delegation and of a large number of national non-governmental organizations, showing a strong interest in the dialogue. B. Positive aspects 3. The Committee welcomes the adoption of several legislative and institutional measures designed to advance the equal enjoyment of rights by men and women, in particular: (a) The adoption of the Basic Law for a Gender-Equal Society in 1999; (b) The appointment of a Government minister for gender equality; GE.09-40108 (E) 160109