UN calls on Japan to amend laws to comply with Convention on the Treatment of Women

The conclusion was announced by the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) and called on the Japanese Government and Parliament to seriously consider and address this situation.

A mother takes her child to daycare and to work on the streets of Tokyo, Japan. (Source: japantimes)

Japan is considered the only country that requires couples to share a surname, and 95% of couples choose to take the husband's surname. Meanwhile, the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women stipulates that husbands and wives must be guaranteed equality in choosing their surnames.

The United Nations has asked Japan to allow them to be selected since 2003, and this is the fourth time the issue has been raised. Japan's Civil Code and other laws have not been amended, leading CEDAW to conclude that the Convention is being ignored by Japan.

The committee's report also raised concerns about the lack of female representation in Japan's parliament. Last month's election for the lower house of parliament saw 73 female lawmakers elected, a new record of 15.7%. However, given that half of Japan's population is female, the number is still disproportionate.

Measures related to reproductive health and rights were also highlighted in the report. The UN called on Japan to make emergency contraception accessible to women and to stop requiring a husband's consent for abortion.

CEDAW also addresses the Imperial Household Law, which currently limits succession to the Japanese Imperial Throne to male descendants. CEDAW calls for the law to be amended to bring it into line with the principles of the Convention.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/lien-hop-quoc-keu-goi-nhat-ban-sua-doi-luat-de-phu-hop-cong-uoc-ve-doi-xu-voi-phu-nu-293177.html