Japan: UN experts concerned by continued stigmatisation of religious minorities

[dljbsp]

https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2025/10/japan-un-experts-concerned-continued-stigmatisation-religious-minorities

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• A group of United Nations human rights experts expressed concern that in Japan, religious minorities are continuing to face social stigma, discrimination, and negative stereotypes.

• The experts call on the Japanese government to take stronger measures to protect religious minority groups’ rights, reduce stigma, and promote tolerance and understanding among all faiths.

• They suggest Japan should review laws, policies, and practices that may allow or perpetuate discrimination, including in education, media, public discourse, and administrative procedures.

• The statement emphasizes that freedom of religion or belief must be safeguarded, and that religious minorities should be able to live without fear of harassment or exclusion.

• The experts may also recommend Japan collect disaggregated data, monitor incidents, ensure access to remedies and accountability for violations, and engage with affected communities.

• The broader context is that international human rights bodies often monitor how states treat minority groups, including religious minorities, and urge reforms in areas where “soft” discrimination (stigma, social exclusion) continues even if formal legal barriers are removed.

[daydream]

I find that Japanese in general, especially in the 1940s are quite insular in their way of thinking. The country being of only one race may have contributed to their feeling of superiority over other races. When the Japanese army overran much of South East Asia, there were many cases of extreme cruelty towards the conquered people. But then again the Nazis were no different either in their treatment of the Jews or the other races they consider inferior. 

Spoiler

Why Were the Japanese So Cruel in World War II?

Such grim statistics beg questions: Why was the Japanese military so deliberately brutal toward defeated enemies and the civilian populations of conquered lands? What were the causes of such behavior? Can we ever understand why they committed crimes that go so far beyond generally accepted military conduct?