To:
Ministry of Justice – Human Rights Bureau
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Subject: Addressing Systemic Discrimination Against Foreign Residents in Japan
Dear Ministry of Justice – Human Rights Bureau,
We are Rights Across Nations (RAN), a civil rights advocacy group dedicated to addressing overlooked issues of discrimination and ensuring that governments uphold their obligations under international human rights treaties. Our work centers on documenting rights violations and engaging with authorities to promote fair treatment, especially for marginalized and vulnerable groups. We have turned our attention to the systemic discrimination faced by foreign residents in Japan, which stands in clear violation of several international agreements to which Japan is a signatory.
We are contacting you to address the pressing issues faced by foreign nationals in Japan, particularly in areas such as housing, employment, and access to public services. Foreigners in Japan frequently encounter explicit refusal from landlords, exploitative labor practices, and denial of services, all of which breach Japan’s commitments under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD). These violations have become pervasive, and it is imperative that the Japanese government takes immediate action to rectify these injustices.
Discrimination in Housing, Public Services, and Employment
Despite Japan’s obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD), many foreigners living in Japan face daily obstacles due to their nationality. Specifically:
- Housing Discrimination: Foreign residents frequently encounter refusals from landlords who explicitly state, “No Foreigners Allowed,” a practice that is alarmingly common across the country. These actions violate ICCPR Article 26, which ensures equality before the law. Even in major cities such as Tokyo, where international populations are higher, this issue remains rampant.
- Employment Exploitation: Foreign workers, particularly those in manual labor sectors such as agriculture and construction, experience unsafe working conditions, lower wages, and lack of access to proper labor rights protections. Despite being legally covered under Japan’s labor laws, the enforcement of these laws is inconsistent. This undermines ICCPR Article 7, which guarantees the right to favorable and safe working conditions, and ICERD Article 5, which ensures equal treatment in employment.
The Role of Nationalistic Narratives
A deeper, more troubling issue fueling this discrimination is the nationalistic rhetoric that portrays foreigners as outsiders who do not belong. This mindset has permeated societal attitudes and has been tacitly accepted for too long. As a signatory to the ICCPR, Japan is obligated under Article 20 to prohibit any advocacy of national, racial, or religious hatred that constitutes incitement to discrimination. It is time to challenge these harmful narratives, which only serve to deepen the divide between Japanese citizens and foreign residents.
Suggested Resolutions and Actions
We believe that addressing these issues requires both immediate legal enforcement and broader social reforms. We propose the following actions:
- Stronger Enforcement of Anti-Discrimination Laws: The government must take immediate steps to enforce existing laws that prohibit discrimination in housing, public services, and employment. Landlords, employers, and public service providers who violate these laws must be held accountable through legal and financial penalties.
- Education and Public Awareness Campaigns: Launching nationwide campaigns to raise awareness of the rights of foreigners and the importance of non-discrimination will help shift societal attitudes. The Ministry of Justice can lead this effort by collaborating with NGOs, international organizations, and community leaders.
- Creation of a National Hotline and Support Services: Establishing a dedicated support hotline for foreign residents facing discrimination will provide a safe and accessible way for individuals to report abuses and seek legal support. Such services can be integrated with local government offices to offer swift responses to complaints.
- Monitoring and Reporting Mechanisms: Establish a government-led monitoring system that publicly reports on incidents of discrimination and the actions taken to resolve them. This transparency will build trust and signal the government’s commitment to addressing these issues.
A Call for Change
It is time for the Japanese government to move beyond tacit acceptance and take proactive steps to rectify these injustices. The world is watching, and Japan’s reputation as a global leader depends on its ability to confront these violations head-on. Discrimination against foreign residents cannot be justified—there are no valid reasons to treat individuals differently based on their nationality or race. To continue to ignore these issues is to undermine Japan’s standing in the global community and to betray its obligations under international law.
We are calling on you, the Ministry of Justice, to take immediate action to address these concerns. The choice is simple: either justify why foreigners in Japan should continue to face discrimination, or do what is right and uphold Japan’s commitment to human rights and equality.
We hope for a prompt and decisive response from the Ministry and remain ready to work with you in achieving meaningful and lasting change.
Sincerely,
Alex Langston
Rights Advocate
Rights Across Nations (RAN)
rightsacrossnations.org