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Short Summary |
In December 2004, the Government of Japan (GOJ)
produced an action plan to combat trafficking in persons especially
women and children. It represented a major shift in government thinking
and came about as the result of international and non-governmental
organisation (NGO) pressure. Section I of the action plan underlines
the serious emotional and physical problems that trafficking causes
the victims. The paper calls for comprehensive measures by all institutions
involved to assist victims and prosecute perpetrators. Section II
focuses on the GOJ's aim to improve understanding of the victims'
situations through improved data collection and information sharing.
Section III forms the main part of the document. It sets out the domestic
laws that need to be changed in order to increase the severity of
trafficking as a crime and the stricter actions required by the police,
the Immigration Bureau, the Labor Standards Inspection offices and
the Japan Coast Guard at points of entry. The GOJ also underlines
its aim to support victims in coordination with Women's Centres, embassies
and NGOs. In addition, the GOJ undertakes to repatriate victims at
the GOJ's expense and in coordination with countries of origin.
Available in Japanese: http://www.mofa.go.jp/policy/i_crime/people/action.pdf
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http://www.mofa.go.jp/policy/i_crime/people/action.html
