U.N. rights group says Japan needs to do more to counter human rights abuses

Who will consider and enforce human rights in Japan? Even Wishma Sandamali died during detention in JGovt agency detention.

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JGovt currently doesn't have anyone who in charge of human rights, yes that's correct no one!

They had last year but not now.

https://www.japantimes.co.jp/commentary/2023/12/01/japan/cabinet-human-rights-adviser-removed/

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unhealthy working conditions.The report, issued this week in Geneva, recommended various changes in Japan, such as more training in businesses to raise awareness of rights issues, setting up mechanisms to hear grievances, enhancing diversity and strengthening checks on labor conditions, as well as sanctions on human rights violations.

That report forget to consider that Japanese won't accept change especially when being told by someone outside Japan. So Japan will just keep the old way.

The report, issued this week in Geneva, recommended various changes in Japan, such as more training in businesses to raise awareness of rights issues, setting up mechanisms to hear grievances, enhancing diversity and strengthening checks on labor conditions, as well as sanctions on human rights violations.

A big issue is how the courts and injustice system work in lockstep with the Japan Inc./LDP combine.

How many times from atomic bomb victims to Minamata to the 2011 TEPCO Fukishima crisis to two many 'black' corporations and cases of corporate negligence to count have the victims been strung along for years, decades in the courts for insignificant payouts/

While those who speak up are sometimes easily hit with severe penalties for the nebulous charge of "obstructing business".

It is corporacratic neo-feudalism.

For those who don't accept Japan really has a problem with human rights abuses, give this a downvote.

Start with housing and go from there. Would love to see any 1st world country apartment rental company say “only Americans or their own country people and no foreigners” see how long any 1st world country that business would last. Any argent agreeing to this should be run out of business as well. No hiding on discrimination. Start with housing.

such as more training in businesses to raise awareness of rights issues, setting up mechanisms to hear grievances, enhancing diversity and strengthening checks on labor conditions, as well as sanctions on human rights violations.

I cannot even picture Japan moving in this direction. Which contrasts with how much humanist they paint themselves.

The government and media will say that they will sincerely accept the findings and work to address these problems. And that will be the end of that.

Start with housing and go from there. Would love to see any 1st world country apartment rental company say “only Americans or their own country people and no foreigners” see how long any 1st world country that business would last.

At least the Japanese are honest. I rent out several properties in the UK and am "selective" as to who I rent to. My "first world" status does not allow me to be as honest as Japan.

The report called “abhorrent” the working conditions of foreigners and migrants and voiced concern about cancer cases among people working at the Fukushima nuclear plant that suffered meltdowns in 2011.

and

Dozens of men have come forward alleging they were sexually abused as children and teens by Johnny Kitagawa, who headed Johnny's, as the company is known, while they were working as actors and singers decades ago.

are both really bad, but are separate these issues. I think the first one is essentially an immigration reform issue, while the second one is corruption of entertainment industry.

It’s a report issued by a “group working under the U.N. Human Rights Council ,” which is probably some kind of NGO and not necessarily representing the official views of UN . In any case, it’s time for Japan to pull out of this anti-Japanese organization.

U.N. rights group says Japan needs to do more to counter human rights abuses

I agree wholeheartedly with this assessment, but like most here, I'm not holding my breath.

There’s a room for improvement for all countries in human right issues. I am a foreigner living a happy and comfortable life in Japan, big thank you to all Japanese friends i got to know so far and also government establishment of a safe life in Japan.

There’s no risk of getting shot on the street, or arrested because you aren’t Japanese, or you aren’t buddhist, or your skin color isn’t same as Japanese people’s skin color..

Japan is way ahead of US and EU in human rights issue. Japan doesn’t kill people, or involve in mass murder of innocent people for their religion, or skin color, or taking over, or reassign people’s land to others. Japan is the best.

The report called “abhorrent” the working conditions of foreigners and migrants and voiced concern about cancer cases among people working at the Fukushima nuclear plant that suffered meltdowns in 2011.

..

It’s all well and good for a foreign organization to comment on Japan’s dark side but there’s nothing like personal experience.

The abuses that I have seen in Japan like police screaming at foreigners or physical abuse from a prison guard on a Japanese, extreme rudeness by immigration officials to Chinese etc.

My own experiences in Japan show me that Japan has a way to go.

@Dago: It is corporacratic neo-feudalism.

Well said, it's a viral disease that has been spread around the whole world. And continues to be spread by nations that are becoming the latest leaders of the 'new world order, some of which claim to have different, even opposing, political beliefs. What worries is the number of individuals that seem to want a return to the feudal era, and be governed by a royal, tsar, kaiser, cult leader of some sort.

Japan is way ahead of US and EU in human rights issue. Japan doesn’t kill people, or involve in mass murder of innocent people for their religion, or skin color, or taking over, or reassign people’s land to others. Japan is the best.

Clearly, you've never been through a divorce with a Japanese national and had to lose custody of your child simply because you are not the right sex or skin color here. Also, you must not have read the news here in Japan over the past ten years and realize that people have literally died because of human rights abuse issues while staying in detention centers here in Japan. This country is also xenophobic to its core, and racism is rampant here. I mean, try renting an apartment here from a Japanese real estate agency, or buy a cell phone here, and in both cases, you have to ask some Japanese person to vouch for your "good character," and then when you tell them you only know white people, they will reject your application. Or in the case of renting an apartment, you are flat out told because you are white, you can't rent an apartment.

Police have stopped me five times over the past several years, and for literally no reason at all. One time I just got done grocery shopping and was walking home with a plastic bag in my hand. Cops ran towards me at full speed and made a big spectacle of asking me to produce my zairyu card for inspection... the same cops who I see regularly and who definitely have seen me go to the grocery store near their koban many times. And when I asked why, they said "I looked suspicious."

And discrimination is totally acceptable here because it's based on incredible third world mentality... try swimming in a public pool or going to an onsen here and you have tattoos... you can't, and why? Because somehow Japanese people are convinced you as a white person are part of the yakuza? Because, you know, in the history of the yakuza, there have been how many white people inducted into their ranks?

Or my personal favorite... the gaijin seat on the train. Japanese people won't sit next to you because you look scary since you have facial hair, or arm tattoos, or because they are afraid you will talk to them in English and they don't want to run the risk of having to be embarrassed because they don't know how to properly speak Japanese. This kind of thinking is so ridiculous it's absurd.... Japanese people think this way because they automatically assume I can't speak Japanese! And why do they make that assumption.... because of the color of my skin. They see a white guy and think I'm just some dumb idiot who can't speak the language of the land I am currently working in.

Japan is not the best, but it could be the best. Yet I think Japan has a long, long way to go in this regard. But hey, a guy can dream of his public garbage cans and non-segregated izakayas, right?

This is hilarious considering if you look into which nations is part of this whole council. Hypocrisy at it's finest.

Their report listed as problem areas the gender wage gap and discrimination against the Ainu indigenous group, LGBTQ and people with disabilities, noting a long list of people it considered “at risk.”

Putting "LGBTQ" in with the Ainu and with people with disabilities?

Please. The latter two groups clearly face societal barriers and challenges.

The other group is one of the most privileged, fawned-over, and gushed-over "communities" in the industrialized, Westernized world.

Yes, even in Japan.

There certainly is historical precedent for this. Which country will Japan then invade?

 In any case, it’s time for Japan to pull out of this anti-Japanese organization.

@Hiro

Are you saying that Japan doesn’t adequately counter racist actions?

You’ve obviously never been surrounded by cops with guns in Japan have you?

The other group is one of the most privileged, fawned-over, and gushed-over "communities" in the industrialized, Westernized world. 

Yes, even in Japan

You mean the people not allowed to marry the consenting adult they want to marry?

That privileged group?

The J cops are blatantly racist and xenophobic been stopped many times for no reason whatsoever and told to show my gaijin card.

It’s all well and good for a foreign organization to comment on Japan’s dark side but there’s nothing like personal experience.

The abuses that I have seen in Japan like police screaming at foreigners or physical abuse from a prison guard on a Japanese, extreme rudeness by immigration officials to Chinese etc.

My own experiences in Japan show me that Japan has a way to go.

Well said.

The J cops are blatantly racist and xenophobic been stopped many times for no reason whatsoever and told to show my gaijin card.

THIS!!!! Agree!

djv124- EXCELLENT POST! Too long to quote the whole thing but SPOT ON with everything you said.

Don't forget the Burakunin.The govt had lists on all Burakunin until recently and no doubt still do secretly!

Japan has some of the best labour laws in the world on paper...the problem is enforcing them with a govt appointed judiciary and no jury system.

Human rights, Animals rights, Environmentalism, Gender equality, etc.: all White made concepts. We do care.

There is only 1 problem: the Japanese are not White and never will be.

They turned Japanese citizens back at the airports during COVID. https://asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/Society/Japan-s-COVID-test-bureaucracy-leaves-returning-citizens-stranded

What hope is there?

Human rights, Animals rights, Environmentalism, Gender equality, etc.: all White made concepts. We do care.

There is only 1 problem: the Japanese are not White and never will be

Weird and disturbing.

Japan is way ahead of US and EU in human rights issue. Japan doesn’t kill people, or involve in mass murder of innocent people for their religion, or skin color, or taking over, or reassign people’s land to others. Japan is the best. 

Clearly, you've never been through a divorce with a Japanese national and had to lose custody of your child simply because you are not the right sex or skin color here. Also, you must not have read the news here in Japan over the past ten years and realize that people have literally died because of human rights abuse issues while staying in detention centers here in Japan. This country is also xenophobic to its core, and racism is rampant here. I mean, try renting an apartment here from a Japanese real estate agency, or buy a cell phone here, and in both cases, you have to ask some Japanese person to vouch for your "good character," and then when you tell them you only know white people, they will reject your application. Or in the case of renting an apartment, you are flat out told because you are white, you can't rent an apartment.

Police have stopped me five times over the past several years, and for literally no reason at all. One time I just got done grocery shopping and was walking home with a plastic bag in my hand. Cops ran towards me at full speed and made a big spectacle of asking me to produce my zairyu card for inspection... the same cops who I see regularly and who definitely have seen me go to the grocery store near their koban many times. And when I asked why, they said "I looked suspicious."

And discrimination is totally acceptable here because it's based on incredible third world mentality... try swimming in a public pool or going to an onsen here and you have tattoos... you can't, and why? Because somehow Japanese people are convinced you as a white person are part of the yakuza? Because, you know, in the history of the yakuza, there have been how many white people inducted into their ranks? 

Or my personal favorite... the gaijin seat on the train. Japanese people won't sit next to you because you look scary since you have facial hair, or arm tattoos, or because they are afraid you will talk to them in English and they don't want to run the risk of having to be embarrassed because they don't know how to properly speak Japanese. This kind of thinking is so ridiculous it's absurd.... Japanese people think this way because they automatically assume I can't speak Japanese! And why do they make that assumption.... because of the color of my skin. They see a white guy and think I'm just some dumb idiot who can't speak the language of the land I am currently working in. 

Japan is not the best, but it could be the best. Yet I think Japan has a long, long way to go in this regard. But hey, a guy can dream of his public garbage cans and non-segregated izakayas, right?

This is a trip down memory lane. I’ve experienced many of the above. It’s not just the Oyaji’s. Complain and their delicate pride gets hurt. A 30 year will say if you don’t like it you can go home because dis izu JAPAN ジャパン！

Japan is not for everyone..

It is only for the braves who know how to appreciate and enjoy this great country..

If you don't like Japan, don't complain, there are more countries..

BON VOYAGE !!!!... LOOOOOL!!!!..

I love you Japan, please never change..

I think all these issues are getting better. Compared to 50 yearts ago it is much better. The problem is that there is still a long long way to go, and as with most changes in Japan they happen ata glacial place. A change that takes 20 years in Europe or the US takes 200 years in Japan.

Meanwhile UN ignores the thousands of human rights abuse cases in CHINA and illegally occupied Tibet where china-nese soldiers RAPE, TORTURE AND SHOOT NUNS AND MONKS.

The UN ignores the torture and imprisonment of Urgur Moslems, chinese christians, Falong Gung, Pro-Democracy Hong Kongers, etc in CHINA.

But yeah, I guess it's easier for the UN to pick on Japan because many of the member states of the UN are in bed with China.

If you have more than 1 interaction with the police every 8 years in Japan, you need to reevaluate your life and stop going to dodgy areas. It sounds like a "you problem."

Mr KiplingToday 07:38 am JST

Start with housing and go from there. Would love to see any 1st world country apartment rental company say “only Americans or their own country people and no foreigners” see how long any 1st world country that business would last.

At least the Japanese are honest. I rent out several properties in the UK and am "selective" as to who I rent to. My "first world" status does not allow me to be as honest as Japan.

Well then you are probably violating the law. That should make you feel uncomfortable.

Oh, my god! I lived and worked in Japan. Do you folks really think so little of Japan? I had no issues with getting my apartment, dealing with policemen, or any of the other horrible and unjust things that happened to so many of you. Then again, I was keen to learn the culture, didn't act like a foreign hoodlum, and saw each interaction as a chance to acculturate. I'm really sorry you were treated so horribly. If you're not in Japan don't go back there. If you're in Japan, run (I mean RUN) to the nearest airport and get home to safety. I had such a good time there that I guess I didn't understand that I was treated so badly. Put me down as naive, but I loved it there.

A group working under the U.N. Human Rights Council has issued a wide-ranging report about rights in Japan, including discrimination against minorities and unhealthy working conditions.

This "group working under the U.N. Human Rights Council"......how many are from countries that are in bed with China?

The report, issued this week in Geneva,

Of course, they'd release the report NOW.... just when Japan and S. Korean leaders are having their summit.

From: https://japantoday.com/category/politics/focus-asia-security-may-be-at-risk-if-japan-s.-korea-ties-sour-again

Japan-South Korea ties, meanwhile, have recovered after Seoul proposed a solution in March 2023 for a long-standing wartime labor compensation dispute. Kishida and Yoon resumed reciprocal visits by countries' leaders for the first time in 12 years.

Naturally, the communist savages in the ccp want to sour relations between Japan and South Korea and tarnish Japan's reputation. They want to divide and conquer.

Scum.

This is hilarious considering if you look into which nations is part of this whole council. Hypocrisy at it's finest.

Since you checked, obviously, perhaps you could have told us, Hiro. On the other hand, how do you know they represent their nations? This is often a very big assumption Japanese make too. Everyone has to be shown with their flag on TV panels, for instance. We are all culturally-essential representatives of the countries on our passports, presumably this is because Japanese themselves cannot imagine things any other way. But, let me tell you, I would be quite prepared to criticise anywhere on human rights grounds, not least the country written on my passport.

Note that it is still 'alleged sexual abuse!' Despite all the testimonials, confessions and other evidence.

Good luck with that,Japan Inc is so ingrained in this strict and abusive working system against visible minorities and women that it is hard to change.

And even if it will,it must come from pressure from outside,but still it might take decades to see some real improvements for human rights standards in the working enviroment.

If you want to live and work in Japan with good and fair enviroment then work for a foreign company based in Japan.

Well then you are probably violating the law. That should make you feel uncomfortable.

I feel very comfortable in only renting to those who I feel will be good tenants. I exclude those who I think are more likely to damage the property or not pay the rent. I don't run a charity, my last place that became available had 26 potential renters in a week. They ranged from an engineer on a two year contract at a local factory offering a years rent in advance to an unemployed single mother with a special needs son and two cats. Guess who got house?

Japanese responsible people of human rights violation only waiting that general public forget, and still cling to profit or power as ever.

Authorities who caused false accusations with even fabricating evidences don't even apology despite killing innocents, only justify themselves.

Immigration bureau staff continue to kill foreign evacuees, but nobody are even arrested. 

Infamous talents agency put all blame on only "predator of J-pop", have no even intention to defend sufferers from online harassment and slanders by Johnny's fans.

Japan's major media still frequently silence to injustices that powers of politics or business repeat.

And Japanese society don't notice what are serious problem, forget soon whatever happened.

If the international community praises Japan for its strawberries or umbrellas or clean restrooms Japan is all ears. Once the criticisms come Japan pretty much ignores the voices (whaling, Japanese parents kidnapping children and bringing them back to Japan, sexual abuse ...)

masterblaster Today 12:59 pm JST

If the international community praises Japan for its strawberries or umbrellas or clean restrooms Japan is all ears. Once the criticisms come Japan pretty much ignores the voices (whaling, Japanese parents kidnapping children and bringing them back to Japan, sexual abuse ...)

Funny how the "international community" never seem to criticize or do anything CONCRETE about the bombing of hospitals or refugees in tents in the Mid East. Or how they never say anything about PREGNANT Vietnamese or Cambodian women being kidnapped, smuggled across the border and sold as brides to china-nese men who want a wife AND a male child.

Whaling? What about the annual dog meat festival in china? No word from the "international community"?

Sex abuse? Oh please... the "international community" is ignorant about the 12 -14 year old GIRL NUNS being raped and tortured in Tibet by the china-nese.

The biggest problem with human rights in Japan is that the majority of the population doesn't know what that mean and more importantly the mainstream media do not put light on it.

TV programs and media jumped on Johnny's case once it was viral already.

This report will also not see coverage on national media - they have time to talk 30 minutes for Othani's match when it rained and there was no match but no time to reveal the problems in the society.

Japan, like every country has it's cases of human abuses. All countries do to varying degrees. But to focus on Japan when there are autocratic nations with human abuses on far far grander scale is really a waste of time and resources. It does beg the question of why the UN and NGOs target a country like Japan for criticism while ignoring larger ore obvious targets.

danToday  09:07 am JST

The J cops are blatantly racist and xenophobic been stopped many times for no reason whatsoever and told to show my gaijin card.

Not necessarily. Under Japanese law Police Officers have the right to stop anyone for questioning and may ask for ID. They do this to everyone starting with J-nationals. Under Immigration laws a foreigner must carry their Residence card on them.

OssanAmerica

danToday  09:07 am JST

The J cops are blatantly racist and xenophobic been stopped many times for no reason whatsoever and told to show my gaijin card.

Not necessarily. Under Japanese law Police Officers have the right to stop anyone for questioning and may ask for ID. They do this to everyone starting with J-nationals. Under Immigration laws a foreigner must carry their Residence card on them

We know from more than 15 years of articles and posts on JT that is not true all of the time. There have been many reports of racial profiling by the police.

@Wesley

Funny how the "international community" never seem to criticize or do anything CONCRETE about the bombing of hospitals or refugees in tents in the Mid East. Or how they never say anything about PREGNANT Vietnamese or Cambodian women being kidnapped, smuggled across the border and sold as brides to china-nese men who want a wife AND a male child.

Well, this article isn't about China so I didn't comment on China. Everyone knows the UN in general is corrupt. The U.N. is selective with its condemnation. The U.N. has pretty much become useless.

If your comment about refugees in tents references Gaza, well, the U.N. has been quite vocal with its condemnation of Israel like most of the world.

People in Korea eat dogs as well. Not for me. Wouldn't eat dog meat ever. But the dog that is eaten is a very special breed. it's not your traditional German Shepard or collie or lab or so on.

I agree with your comments on sexual abuse. It's especially horrific in the Middle East and Asian countries. The U.N. does not do enough.

I think the first one is essentially an immigration reform issue, while the second one is corruption of entertainment industry.

It's all related to business and how business maintains - or fails to maintain - human rights. Of course, China or Saudi Arabia or other countries that care not a hoot for human rights, have no desire to see their countries and businesses assessed. Those which pay lip service to human rights - like Japan does - can't help but be assessed. If Japan wants to be derided in the same way China, Iran or North Korea are, wrt human rights, then I am sure it could be obstructive. If that is what people want then maybe there are mechanisms by which that could be achieved. But you can't have both a tatemae of respect for human rights while carrying on in another way, despite it being what many seem to want.

So many whiners that Japan doesn't follow their countries "concept" of freedom or human rights. Note "concept" is not the reality in those countries. Is Japan a utopia? Not quite, but if you pay your tax, obey the law and do not try to change how Japanese people choose to live their lives in their country you should do just fine.

Yes Johnny was a bad man, but hardly on the scale of the Catholic church. The Ainu had a tough time years ago but not now. LGBT don't have everything they want but compared to life in any Islamic country, Japan is a paradise. And the “abhorrent working conditions of foreigners and migrants"... They mean the migrants literally queuing up to come to Japan to earn 5 time the salary as their home country?

There are far more important human rights issues the UK should be spending its efforts on.

I see you adopt a cultural and historical relativist position, Mr Kipling. You do understand that Japan signs up to human rights as a yardstick, right? There is even a human rights week every December to remind us all. That presumably means identifying and eradicating all instances where it fails to measure up. Any place that is perfectionist and pays attention to detail will always be happy to make reforms and home in on what is best, no?

So many comments on this one...

For those who keep mentioning how much worse it is elsewhere, sure compared to other countries Japan might be much better for some. But we wouldn't dismiss gun violence in the US, by saying it's worse in another country....

IMO Japan, even with it's lack of enforced antidiscrimination laws, is usually very comfortable for most people. The Apartment problem is usually overcome by going through your employer, but also understandably terrible for those struggling to find a place to learn that the landlord doesn't accept foreigners.

It would be less offensive, if the landlord/relator were less obvious as to why someone was turned down. And in my opinion although racist, it stems from fear of damage/noise/loss of income etc. I suspect that many foreign landlords prefer Japanese tenants as well.

It might take some thick skin, and ingenuity, but I think most people can have a good life in Japan, it is a wonderful country overall.

I do hope that the problems outlined in the article are addresses and corrected in time. I might be biased as I've spent half my life in Japan and consider it home.

My best advice is to spend as little time thinking about the problems as you can, unless you are part of the body that is addressing it directly.

The unelected and discredited UN always seems to try and bully and pick on Japan - just as so many nearby nations do. Really unfair.

Why only single Japan out for criticism on human rights? Why won't the UN ever speak out against horrible nations like China, Russia, North Korea, Myanmar, Iran etc? The very concept of Human Rights is non-existent in these places. People there are executed simply for having some connection with an "enemy of the state", disagreeing with the government, being a woman and so on.

Always, it's Japan being bullied.

@Fighto

So, you think Japan is the victim and has no need to advance its society?

What a defeatist attitude!

Cue for Japan to pay more to the UN, and nothing changes

Japan's totalitarian ruling party LDP politicians have hostility to thought that values human rights, independent human rights organization don't yet exist in Japan.

It is certainly strange that only Japan is the target of criticism, but it is true that Japan has a very low rate of female political participation among Asian countries, and Japan's human rights issues have yet to be resolved, so it is not surprising that Japan is being criticized.

What is true discrimination? You should have learned about this in history, right?

Black slavery, apartheid, colonial rule, the Jewish Holocaust, and discrimination against Palestinians by Jews.

You should have seen and heard about these things, but are they happening in Japan?

Foreigners can't rent housing? Someone who came here before has returned to their home country because they weren't paying their rent. Can you pay for them?

Who knows if you'll pay the rent without falling behind?

Can you keep the room clean?

I can't rent to someone I don't know. Is this discrimination? lol

Even if you're not a big foreigner, the seats on Japanese trains are narrow, so I don't sit next to big people. It's cramped.

Also, foreigners often use cologne and are very smelly. Like a skunk. I don't know if they take a bath every day, but foreigners stink. I don't want to sit next to them. Is this discrimination? lol

In America, if you're a black person, if a police officer walks up to you, you'll feel your life is in danger. Because you might get shot.

In Japan, you can get away with just checking your belongings, and many crimes have been uncovered from this behavior. If you behave quietly, you won't be shot to death. If you scream that this is discrimination, please go home. If you don't like Japan, you don't have to live there, right?

The UN should look in the mirror first.

United nations say alot of things criticizing others but when it come to actually solving the problems they are incompetent

I think all these issues are getting better. Compared to 50 yearts ago it is much better. The problem is that there is still a long long way to go, and as with most changes in Japan they happen ata glacial place. A change that takes 20 years in Europe or the US takes 200 years in Japan.

I think that what you are saying is right on. I think the problem of human rights violations in Japan is getting a little better than it was a few years ago. That is a good thing, but I believe that urgent action is needed. I cannot wait for 200 years.It is important to consider future citizens. However, the citizens of today should be considered first.For example, labor issues should be the first to be addressed.Japanese companies sometimes force workers to overwork themselves.This has cut into their free time.It damages their psyche as well. Sometimes people give their own lives themselves because of it.An immediate solution would save lives.For these reasons, I believe that the Japanese government should implement measures to resolve human rights issues in a short span of time like other countries.

JohnMay 30 08:20 am JST

There’s a room for improvement for all countries in human right issues. I am a foreigner living a happy and comfortable life in Japan, big thank you to all Japanese friends i got to know so far and also government establishment of a safe life in Japan.

There’s no risk of getting shot on the street, or arrested because you aren’t Japanese, or you aren’t buddhist, or your skin color isn’t same as Japanese people’s skin color..

Thank you for your comment, I fully agree. I am a white man from Central Europe, living in Japan since about 45 years. I have no complaints either. Japan is a nice safe country with friendly honest people, but of course nobody looking at me will mistaken me for a Japanese.

Japan is way ahead of US and EU in human rights issue. Japan doesn’t kill people, or involve in mass murder of innocent people for their religion, or skin color, or taking over, or reassign people’s land to others. Japan is the best.

I would not compare Japan with USA or EU. It is better to compare Japan with other Asian countries and if I look around out of my experience I also would say, Japan is the best place in Asia.

About the legal situation, I do not think Japan is such a bad place either, surely not in Asia - including human rights.

Laws are different from country to country and I see no reason why the legal situation in Japan should be the same as in USA.

If USA is better than Japan for a living? Maybe if you are very rich, but we have to accept the fact that USA is nowadays politically seen a chaos, legally seen a costly mess as every state has different laws and this is a huge business for lawyers only. USA has also racial issues and does not even offer a basic health insurance for all its citizens. US prison population is the largest in this world with around 1.8 million people in jail.

For people willing to work, public transport between their housing and work place is a headache, often not existing at all.

It can be said, the time of the 'American Dream' is a part of the past - USA is not the worst place on earth, but by far not the best one either.

EU is quite advanced in human rights issues, however such human rights are often prone to misuse by illegals and even by convicted criminals. There is strong critic that in many cases illegals and even criminals are better protected by these human right laws than local honest citizens who are victim of a crime.

Housing is not cheap either, some cities in Europe are even more expensive for buying or renting property than in major cities in Japan.

Europe has a very good health, accident, jobless and retirement social network. However it is expensive and expect a large amount of your income is taken away for social insurance and income tax.