Elimination of All Forms of Violence against Women

Violence against women, including spousal violence, sexual crimes, prostitution, trafficking in persons, sexual harassment and stalking behavior, constitutes a serious violation of the human rights of women. This is an issue to be resolved in the process of formation of a gender-equal society. The international community also attaches great importance to this issue, as is seen in the 1999 inauguration of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women by the United Nations, which will be held each year on November 25.

Act on the Prevention of Spousal Violence and the Protection of Victims

Act on the Prevention of Spousal Violence and the Protection of Victims [PDF]

Campaign for elimination of violence against women

Campaign for Eliminating Violence against Women
(from November 12 through November 25 every year)
The Headquarters for the Promotion of Gender Equality Conducts a campaign for Eliminating of Violence against Women and, in collaboration with local public authorities, women’s groups and other organizations, further strengthen efforts for elimination of violence against women, including a program to enhance social awareness.
Preventive Education
In order to prevent people becoming perpetrators or victims of violence against women, preventive educational materials targeting young people are being produced and distributed, and training is conducted for instructors.

Information for Victims of Spousal Violence

Website (http://www.gender.go.jp/e-vaw/index.html)
Information about laws and organizations to assist victims of spousal violence is provided on the website of the Gender Equality Bureau of the Cabinet Offi ce, which is regularly updated.
Examples of measures by local public authorities and initiatives by corporations to assist victims are also introduced.

“DV Consaltation Navi”
(“Telephone Guidlance Service on Organizations Offering Cousaltation to Spousa Violence Victims”)
The nationally common telephone number uses an interactive voice response system to direct victims of spousal violence with contact details of closest consultation centers and their opening times.
Stop the Violence

Measures against trafficking in persons

In response the recent situation in Japan concerning trafficking in persons(TIP), the Government adopted Japan’s 2009 Action Plan to Combat Trafficking in Persons (December 2009) to appropriately deal with various concerns and to continue unified measures against TIP.
In order to prevent and eliminate TIP and protect victims, based on the action plan, the Government is working to proactively apply criminal laws, to thoroughly crack down and stringently punish and penalize perpetrantors. The Government is also collaborating with concerned countries and NGOs to further improve protection of victims and to promote integral and comprehensive countermeasures.