Human Rights Watch (HRW) has called on Japan to halt its actions against the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) following the committee’s recommendation for Japan to revise its domestic law. Notably, CEDAW has urged Japan to amend the Imperial House Law—a 1947 edict which restricts succession to the Chrysanthemum Throne to male heirs, as established under Article 1 of the law.
The Japanese government, represented by Foreign Ministry spokesperson Kitamura Toshihiro, argues that the male-preference primogeniture is not discriminatory. He articulated that the right to rule is not deemed a basic human right within the cultural context of the Japanese imperial tradition. This stance has been solidified by Japan’s decision to request that its voluntary contributions to CEDAW be withdrawn and cancelling planned visits from the committee’s members. Japan’s finance commitment to UN human rights efforts ranks 21st among global contributors, with allocations reaching $490,035 as of February 28, 2025.
HRW advocates for Japan to reconsider its approach as these actions could establish a concerning precedent allowing other governments to similarly push back against UN human rights frameworks. The organization draws parallels to actions under the previous U.S. administration where similar steps were taken, notably including the halting of foreign aid and the U.S. withdrawal from the UN Human Rights Council.
The CEDAW Committee, beyond recommending legal reform for succession laws, has also recommended broader changes. These include implementing a system where married couples can opt for separate surnames, reducing financial barriers for women entering politics by lowering election deposits, optimizing access to emergency contraception, and eliminating the necessity of spousal consent for abortion. Additionally, CEDAW also emphasizes achieving gender parity in Japanese politics and advocates for ratification of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, which has been pending for nearly 40 years.
More information on this development can be found in the original report by JURIST.