Part 3 Implementing the high priority items identified by the Beijing Platform for Action

9. Human rights of women

(1) Strengthening the legal literacy of women

The Japanese government reports on the results of the deliberation at every meeting of the Committee on the Elimination of the Discrimination Against Women to NGOs etc., and has also prepared leaflets and posters on the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women in Japanese and distributed them to prefectures and various women's organizations to make the convention know.
Also the Office for Gender Equality of the Prime Minister's Office has a home page on the Internet for broadly disseminating information about the Convention to the general public.
The White Paper on Gender Equality provides information on the contact points of major public institutions and organizations which provides advice and information on issues dealt with in the " Plan for Gender Equality 2000".

(2) Enhancing the conditions for enabling the elderly to live in safety and security.

1)
Promoting the Health and Welfare Measures for the Elderly
The share of women among the elderly is higher compared to men, therefore women are more affected by the issues confronting the elderly.
With the advent of a full-scale aging society forthcoming at the beginning of the 21st century, it is of paramount importance for Japan to build an environment in which the elderly can maintain their health and economic independence, and enjoy a fruitful life as a respected member of society.
Hence, the General Principles Concerning Measures for the Aging Society were established as a guideline for fundamental and comprehensive measures to be implemented by Government to address the challenges of an aging society in line with the provisions of the Basic Law on Measures for the Aging Society enacted in l995. Pursuant to this guideline, measures have been formulated and are being implemented currently to deal with the various challenges of an aging society, including working and income, health and welfare, learning and social involvement, living environment and promoting research.
2)
Introduction of a new care system
a)
Establishment of a long-term insurance system
In December l997, the law concerning long-term care insurance was approved to address the needs of establishing a system to support the long-term care of the rapidly increasing number of elderly people.
After a subsequent preparatory period, the system will be introduced from April 2000 onward.
Under this system, bed-ridden elderly persons or elderly persons with senile dementia over 65 years old and people from 40 to 64 years of age in need of long-term care due to diseases caused by aging, will be provided with long-term care services covering both at-home and institutional care.
As for the use of services, 10 percent of the principal expenses that would be covered by the insurance, are to be borne by the user.
And, in the case of institutional service, food expenses will also be borne by the users.
In the future, towards the implementation of the system from FY 2000, while continuing to promote the maintenance of a basis for the long-term care service in line with the New Gold Plan, and in order for the municipalities and the insurer to manage the system smoothly, various aspects are being considered: approval system for those in need of care, national basic policy for the formulation of a long-term care insurance operational plan and details of a clerical management system in consultation with the Council for Medical Insurance and Welfare.

(3) Strengthening measures for the disabled

1)
Consideration for people with disabilities
In March l993, the Japanese Government formulated the "New Long Term Program for Government Measures for Disabled Persons" in cooperation with the United Nations Economic Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) to promote the "Decade of Asian-Pacific Disabled Persons.
This was followed by the formulation of the" Government Action Plan for Persons with Disabilities-A 7-Year Normalization Strategy" as an implementation plan to be realized by December l995.
The "Government Action Plan for persons with Disabilities" is a 7-year plan covering FY l996 to FY 2002 that spells out concrete numerical targets and comprehensive measures for women with disabilities as well as for men, with the ultimate goal of creating a society in which every individual can actively participate.
To achieve targets for the planned period, numerical targets have been set in various fields that include securing residence; group homes, welfare homes, securing work; sheltered workshops, welfare factories, designation of employment support centers for people with disabilities, enrichment of family care services: at-home services such as home helpers/short home stay service, etc. institutional service such as institutions for disabled persons.
In addition, to achieve a barrier free society, the plan includes clearly articulated targets for expanding the width of sidewalks, installing elevators at train stations and others, the progress of which will be regularly monitored.
In May, l995 the Government set a guideline to encourage prefectural and municipal governments to formulate a basic plan on measures for person with disabilities, since they interact closely with the local communities.
These local public organizations are actively promoting the measures for persons with disabilities based on the plan.

(4) Promotion of measures related to the "UN Decade of Human Rights Education"

1)
On December 15 l995, pursuant to a Cabinet Decision, the Headquarters for Promoting the UN Decade of Human Rights Education was established within Cabinet with the Prime Minister as president, for the purpose of comprehensively promoting measures related to the UN Decade of Human Rights Education through the concerted and coordinated efforts of related ministries and agencies.
On July, l997, the Headquarters announced a National Action Plan for the UN Decade for Human Rights Education.
The specific contents of the National Action Plan of the UN Decade of Human Rights Education are as follows; The purpose of human rights education, background, significance to human rights education in Japan, the basic principle behind the Decade of Human Rights Education, goals, points to be considered in launching this initiative, promoting human rights education in all spheres of life including schools, society and companies, human rights education emphasizing important human rights issues in Japan related to women, children, the elderly, the disabled, human rights of the Dowa, Ainu and non-Japanese, organization for promoting plans for international cooperation.
With respect to human rights education as it pertains to women, the National Action Plan spells out the need to align the initiative with the Plan for Gender Equality 2000, to expand the participation of women in the policy and decision making processes, to review and change the awareness of social systems and customs from the perspective of gender equality, and to promote education, training and general awareness of women's human rights.