The Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) reviewed Japan on 17 October 2024. This review is conducted based on the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, whose guiding principles are the promotion of gender equality and the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women. Following the review, including the constructive dialogue, the concluding observations on Japan’s ninth periodic report were issued on 29 October 2024.i

1. The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of
Discrimination against Women

The CEDAW Convention is an international treaty aimed at promoting gender equality and eliminating all forms of discrimination against women. The treaty obliges states that ratify it to take legislative and other appropriate measures in all areas, including political, social, economic, and cultural fields, to ensure the full development and advancement of women. ii The treaty was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1979 and entered into force on 3 September 1981, after the 20th country ratified it. Japan ratified the Convention in 1985, and as of 21 February 2023, a total of 189 states have ratified the treaty.iii

2. Review by CEDAW

CEDAW monitors the implementation of the CEDAW Convention. The committee is composed of 23 independent experts in women’s rights iv. Its members are selected from citizens of states that have ratified the Convention. Members serve a term of four years.

CEDAW regularly reviews State parties to assesswhether they are effectively implementing the Convention. The review process begins with State parties submitting reports to the UN detailing legislative, judicial, and administrative measures taken to implement the Convention. At this stage, both governmental reports (“State Party Reports”) and submissions from civil society organizations and individuals (“Shadow Reports”) can be provided. While State Party Reports highlight government efforts, Shadow Reports offer insights into gender inequality and discrimination against women from the citizens’ perspective. These Shadow Reports serve as valuable references during the review process. CEDAW reviews State Party Reports at public meetings and issues concluding observations, including a recommendation, to State parties.v

3. Concluding Observations on the Ninth Periodic Report of Japan by CEDAW

The Japanese government submitted its ninth periodic report for review in September 2021 vi, and a constructive dialogue was held in Geneva on 17 October 2024.