Act on the Promotion of Efforts to Eliminate Unfair Discriminatory Speech and Behavior against Persons with Countries of Origin other than Japan(Act No. 68 of 2016)
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  • May 12, 2022
    • Last Version:
    • Translated Date: January 18, 2022
    • Dictionary Version: 14.0

Act on the Promotion of Efforts to Eliminate Unfair Discriminatory Speech and Behavior against Persons with Countries of Origin other than Japan
Act No. 68 of June 3, 2016
Table of Contents
Preamble
Chapter I General Provisions(Article 1 to Article 4)
Chapter II Basic Measures(Article 5 to Article 7)
Supplementary Provisions
In recent years in Japan, unfair discriminatory speech and behavior has been used to incite the exclusion of persons with countries of origin other than Japan, or their descendants, who are legally residing in Japan, from local communities, on the grounds that they are from countries or regions outside of Japan. This has caused great suffering to persons of the origin or their descendants and serious rifts in the local communities.
Obviously, the unfair discriminatory speech and behavior should never have been tolerated, and it is not appropriate for Japan to overlook this situation in light of its position in the international community.
It is therefore declared that the unfair discriminatory speech and behavior is unacceptable, and this Act is established to promote efforts to eliminate the unfair discriminatory speech and behavior by informing the citizens and obtaining their understanding and cooperation through further human rights education and awareness-raising, etc.
Chapter I General Provisions
(Purpose)
Article 1In consideration of the urgent issue to eliminate unfair discriminatory speech and behavior against persons with countries of origin other than Japan, the purpose of this Act is to prescribe the basic principles and clarify the responsibilities of the national government and others with regard to efforts to eliminate the unfair discriminatory speech and behavior, and to prescribe and promote the basic measures.
(Definitions)
Article 2The term "unfair discriminatory speech and behavior against persons with countries of origin other than Japan" as used in this Act means any unfair discriminatory speech and behavior that incites the exclusion of persons who are from countries or regions outside of Japan or the descendants thereof who are legally residing in Japan (hereinafter referred to as "persons with countries of origin other than Japan" in this Article) exclusively from local communities on the grounds that they are from countries or regions outside of Japan, including that which announces in public that there will be harm to the life, body, liberty, honor or property of persons with countries of origin other than Japan and that which is extremely disparaging to persons with countries of origin other than Japan, for the purpose of facilitating or inducing a discriminatory attitude against them.
(Basic Principles)
Article 3Citizens of Japan must endeavor to deepen their understanding of the need of eliminating unfair discriminatory speech and behavior against persons with countries of origin other than Japan, and endeavor to contribute to the realization of a society free from the unfair discriminatory speech and behavior.
(Responsibilities of the National and Local Governments)
Article 4(1)The national government is responsible for implementing measures aimed at eliminating unfair discriminatory speech and behavior against persons with countries of origin other than Japan, and for taking necessary measures, including providing advice necessary to promote the measures of local governments aimed at eliminating unfair discriminatory speech and behavior against persons with countries of origin other than Japan.
(2)Local governments are to endeavor to take measures to eliminate unfair discriminatory speech and behavior against persons with countries of origin other than Japan, based on an appropriate sharing of roles with the national government, and in accordance with the actual conditions of the community concerned.
Chapter II Basic Measures
(Development of a Consultation System)
Article 5(1)The national government is to respond appropriately to consultations regarding unfair discriminatory speech and behavior against persons with countries of origin other than Japan, and to develop necessary systems to prevent or resolve disputes related thereto.
(2)Local governments are to respond appropriately to consultations regarding unfair discriminatory speech and behavior against persons with countries of origin other than Japan, and to endeavor to develop necessary systems to prevent or resolve disputes related thereto, based on an appropriate sharing of roles with the national government and in accordance with the actual conditions of the community concerned.
(Enhancement of Education, etc.)
Article 6(1)The national government is to implement educational activities to eliminate unfair discriminatory speech and behavior against persons with countries of origin other than Japan, and to take necessary measures therefor.
(2)Local governments are to implement educational activities to eliminate unfair discriminatory speech and behavior against persons with countries of origin other than Japan, and to endeavor to take necessary measures therefor, based on an appropriate sharing of roles with the national government and in accordance with the actual conditions of the community concerned.
(Awareness-raising Activities, etc.)
Article 7(1)The national government is to conduct awareness-raising activities, including public relations with the purpose of informing the citizens and deepening their understanding of the need of eliminating unfair discriminatory speech and behavior against persons with countries of origin other than Japan, and to take necessary measures therefor.
(2)Local governments are to conduct awareness-raising activities, including public relations with the purpose of informing the residents and deepening their understanding of the need of eliminating unfair discriminatory speech and behavior against persons with countries of origin other than Japan, and to endeavor to take necessary measures therefor, based on an appropriate sharing of roles with the national government and in accordance with the actual conditions of the community concerned.
Supplementary Provisions
(Effective Date)
(1)This Act comes into effect as of the date of promulgation.
(Review of Efforts relating to Unfair Discriminatory Speech and Behavior)
(2)Efforts relating to unfair discriminatory speech and behavior will be reviewed as necessary, taking into consideration the actual situation, etc. regarding unfair discriminatory speech and behavior against persons with countries of origin other than Japan after the enforcement of this Act.