Statement by Dr. KAMIYA Masako, Special Advisor to the Government of Japan, Item 25: Advancement of women, 78th Session of the Third Committee of the United Nations General Assembly
2023/10/4
(As delivered)
Dear Distinguished Delegates,
First, I will refrain from repeating our well-known position, but I have to state that the earlier reference of the DPRK on Japan is erroneous and groundless, and is therefore not acceptable.
Each and every country and region should squarely face its own history in all humbleness. This is exactly what Japan has been doing and the path it has walked as a peace-loving nation since the end of World War II is the proof.
Japan has consistently respected democracy and human rights and contributed to peace and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region and the international community over the past 75 years.
As I address this session on the “Advancement of Women,” I wish to emphasize that I am present here in my role as the Special Advisor to the Japanese delegation based on the recommendations put forth by Japanese women’s NGOs, a tradition that has endured since 1957. I would also like to note that the Government of Japan has continuously appointed a civil society representative to Japan’s delegation to the Commission on the Status of Women, as my presence here amply shows.
Mr. Chair,
I would first like to highlight some of Japan’s domestic efforts to improve the status of women. Every year, the Government adopts “The Basic Policy on Gender Equality and Empowerment of Women," which is reflected in the budget requests of each ministry from a gender perspective and implemented throughout the government with numerical targets. The policy for 2023 focuses on three priority issues: promotion of efforts to realize a positive cycle of women’s empowerment and economic growth, strengthening of efforts to improve women's income and economic independence, and realization of a society where women can live with dignity and pride.
Specifically, the Japanese government has established numerical targets for the proportion of female executives, advocated for reskilling initiatives including expanding the digital skills of women, strengthened measures against spousal violence, and enacted a law titled “Act on Support for Women Facing Difficulties” to address various intersectional issues such as poverty and sexual violence. In addition, the government is promoting the use of FemTech to support lifelong health and encouraging the use of the long-standing menstrual leave system.
Mr. Chair,
Japan is also committed to promoting the advancement of women globally. In 2023, Japan has contributed 20.6 million USD to UN Women to support women and girls in various countries and regions including Afghanistan, Ukraine, Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia. Furthermore, at the G7 Hiroshima Summit, which Japan hosted this year, the G7 reaffirmed commitments to strive to jointly increase the share of ODA over the next few years to promote gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls.
As conflicts and crises continue to threaten human security around the world, the Women, Peace and Security agenda continues to be a priority for the Government. Japan has been providing financial support to the Office of the SRSG-SVC on an ongoing annual basis. In 2023, assistance has been directed to projects such as medical, psycho-social, and livelihood support for victims of conflict-related sexual violence in Mali.
In concluding, Japan will continue to strive to advance the status of women alongside UN member states, UN agencies, civil society, and other stakeholders, and will actively contribute to consultations and resolution negotiations on this topic within the Third Committee for the advancement of women’s empowerment in every country.
I thank you.
First, I will refrain from repeating our well-known position, but I have to state that the earlier reference of the DPRK on Japan is erroneous and groundless, and is therefore not acceptable.
Each and every country and region should squarely face its own history in all humbleness. This is exactly what Japan has been doing and the path it has walked as a peace-loving nation since the end of World War II is the proof.
Japan has consistently respected democracy and human rights and contributed to peace and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region and the international community over the past 75 years.
As I address this session on the “Advancement of Women,” I wish to emphasize that I am present here in my role as the Special Advisor to the Japanese delegation based on the recommendations put forth by Japanese women’s NGOs, a tradition that has endured since 1957. I would also like to note that the Government of Japan has continuously appointed a civil society representative to Japan’s delegation to the Commission on the Status of Women, as my presence here amply shows.
Mr. Chair,
I would first like to highlight some of Japan’s domestic efforts to improve the status of women. Every year, the Government adopts “The Basic Policy on Gender Equality and Empowerment of Women," which is reflected in the budget requests of each ministry from a gender perspective and implemented throughout the government with numerical targets. The policy for 2023 focuses on three priority issues: promotion of efforts to realize a positive cycle of women’s empowerment and economic growth, strengthening of efforts to improve women's income and economic independence, and realization of a society where women can live with dignity and pride.
Specifically, the Japanese government has established numerical targets for the proportion of female executives, advocated for reskilling initiatives including expanding the digital skills of women, strengthened measures against spousal violence, and enacted a law titled “Act on Support for Women Facing Difficulties” to address various intersectional issues such as poverty and sexual violence. In addition, the government is promoting the use of FemTech to support lifelong health and encouraging the use of the long-standing menstrual leave system.
Mr. Chair,
Japan is also committed to promoting the advancement of women globally. In 2023, Japan has contributed 20.6 million USD to UN Women to support women and girls in various countries and regions including Afghanistan, Ukraine, Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia. Furthermore, at the G7 Hiroshima Summit, which Japan hosted this year, the G7 reaffirmed commitments to strive to jointly increase the share of ODA over the next few years to promote gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls.
As conflicts and crises continue to threaten human security around the world, the Women, Peace and Security agenda continues to be a priority for the Government. Japan has been providing financial support to the Office of the SRSG-SVC on an ongoing annual basis. In 2023, assistance has been directed to projects such as medical, psycho-social, and livelihood support for victims of conflict-related sexual violence in Mali.
In concluding, Japan will continue to strive to advance the status of women alongside UN member states, UN agencies, civil society, and other stakeholders, and will actively contribute to consultations and resolution negotiations on this topic within the Third Committee for the advancement of women’s empowerment in every country.
I thank you.