A/61/335 particular of universal periodic review, these Governments will soon reply to him in the affirmative. 1. Mission to Japan 43. The Special Rapporteur visited Japan from 3 to 11 July 2005, during which time he visited Osaka, Kyoto, Tokyo, the island of Hokkaido (Sapporo, Niburani and Hakuro) and Chubu in Aichi prefecture. He met the representatives of a number of ministries, local government representatives from Osaka, Kyoto, Tokyo and Sapporo, and representatives of civil society and the communities concerned. 44. In his mission report to the Commission (E/CN.4/2006/16/Add.2), he concluded that there is racial discrimination and xenophobia — the manifestations of which are mainly of a social and economic nature, but also of a political, cultural and historical nature — that affect three circles of discriminated groups: the national minorities (the Buraku people, the Ainu and the people of Okinawa), people and descendents of former Japanese colonies (Koreans and Chinese) and foreigners and migrant workers. 45. The Special Rapporteur welcomes the adoption of a number of laws which promote certain rights of certain minorities, but notes with concern that there is no national legislation that outlaws racism, racial discrimination and xenophobia. In this connection, he recommends the recognition of the existence of racial discrimination in Japan, and the expression of the political will to combat it, the adoption of a national law against discrimination, and the establishment of a national commission for equality and human rights, attached to the Office of the Prime Minister, whose mandate would be to address the principal forms of racism and discrimination. The commission, in consultation with the minorities concerned, should as a first priority draft a national plan of action, based on the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action, to combat racism, racial discrimination and xenophobia. In view of the central role of history in the construction of identities, which are deep-rooted sources of discrimination, and the depth of the traditional conflict with neighbouring countries, the Special Rapporteur also suggested that a general history of the region should be drafted, in collaboration with the countries of the region and under the guidance of UNESCO, similar to the general histories that have been written about Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean and Central Asia. 46. The Special Rapporteur would like to refer to his last visit to Japan from 10-19 May 2006, as a member of the Niwano Peace Prize Executive Committee. The Niwano Peace Prize is awarded each year to a person or an organization that has played an important role in the promotion of peace and interreligious cooperation. On the basis of on the ongoing nature of his mandate, which is not limited to official visits, he accepted the invitation of civil society organizations, in particular of the International Movement against All Forms of Discrimination and Racism, with a view to rounding out his visit, meeting important figures in Japanese society whom he had not been able to see in July 2005, and visiting regions that are important for his mandate, which he could not do during his short official visit. Accordingly, in Tokyo he met members of parliament from the main political parties who informed him of measures to combat racism and discrimination on their respective political agendas. He also met with representatives of civil society in Tokyo, Osaka and Okinawa. In Okinawa, he had not been able to visit in July 2005 despite the insistent invitations from civil society organizations. He noted two forms 16 06-51904