UN official highlights racism in Japan (China Daily) Updated: 2005-07-12 05:44
Other minority groups include the Ainu, indigenous to northern Japan, and
burakumin, who are racially and culturally indistinguishable from other Japanese
but have for centuries been subject to discrimination in jobs and marriage.
More recently, there has been a slow but steady influx of immigrants from a
wide range of nations, some of whom have also faced discrimination in areas such
as housing.
Japan has also been criticized by human rights groups for its restrictive
attitude towards refugees, few of whom are granted refugee status by
authorities.
Diene said Japan had been co-operative with his mission but he had not met
any cabinet ministers.
"At the political level, certainly there is need for strong recognition of
the reality of discrimination," he said. "Second, (there is need for) the
expression of a political will to combat it."
He also said he was discouraged by the general exclusion of the
nation-building contributions of minorities in textbooks.
Diene said his final report will likely recommend Japan enact a national law
condemning discrimination, legislation which it now lacks, and increased
consultation between officials and minority groups to identify and ease
discrimination problems.
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