On October 1, 2025, four United Nations Special Rapporteurs* expressed concern about ongoing prejudice against religious minorities in Japan, particularly its effect on children.
Previously on June 30, 2024, they publicly released a joint opinion addressed to the Government of Japan regarding the guidelines, “Q&A on Responses to Child Abuse Related to Religious Beliefs, etc.” that were issued by the Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare. Their new press statement here refers to the “Children’s Human Rights SOS Mini-Letter,” which was distributed to school children in Japan, between May and July 2025. This pamphlet is reported to have been prepared based on the above-mentioned guidelines. The Special Rapporteurs voiced concern that even legitimate religious activities by parents could be wrongly associated with child abuse.
For more details, please see the full press statement.
*The Special Rapporteurs (independent human rights expert appointed by the UN Human Rights Council to report on a specific thematic issue or a particular country):
- Nazila Ghanea, the Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief;
- Nicolas Levrat, the Special Rapporteur on minority issues;
- Farida Shaheed, the Special Rapporteur on the right to education;
- Gina Romero, the Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association.