{"id":8876,"date":"2011-05-13T15:43:52","date_gmt":"2011-05-13T06:43:52","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.debito.org\/?p=8876"},"modified":"2011-05-13T15:51:01","modified_gmt":"2011-05-13T06:51:01","slug":"afp-britain-now-supports-japans-un-security-council-seat-how-eyeblinkingly-blind-of-goj-history-re-unfollowing-international-agreements","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.debito.org\/?p=8876","title":{"rendered":"AFP: Britain now supports Japan’s bid for UN Security Council seat: How eyeblinkingly blind of GOJ history re unfollowing international agreements."},"content":{"rendered":"
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Hi Blog. Here’s some news dovetailing with Japan’s unwillingness to abide by international treaty.<\/p>\n

Japan, one of the United Nations’ largest financial contributors, has been pushing hard for decades now for a seat on the U.N. Security Council<\/a> (last time in 2006), effectively to have a place at the table and more powerful voting rights with fellow big, rich, powerful nations. The GOJ has even signed treaties and created domestic laws, according to scholar John M. Peek (see below), just to make it look better internationally, i.e., more like a modern, responsible nation in the international arena. However, after signing these treaties, Japan has been quite constant in its unwillingness to actually create domestic laws to enforce international agreements (cf. the CERD<\/a>), or when laws are created, they have little to no enforcement power (cf. the Equal Employment Opportunity Law, which has done little after more than a quarter century to ameliorate the wide disparity in wages between men and women in Japan<\/a>).<\/p>\n

The fact is, the GOJ does this stuff for window dressing. \u00a0Now once it accomplishes its goal of getting an UNSC Seat, it will have no further incentive to sign, abide by, or obey international treaties at all. We have stated this to the United Nations at every opportunity<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Which is why Britain’s sudden turnaround to support Japan’s bid is so eye-blinkingly blind. It seems we are milking our disasters (partially caused by our government’s malfeasance in the first place<\/a>) to get an international sympathy vote now. How cynical and opportunistic.<\/p>\n

Read on for an excerpt of a research paper I wrote citing Dr. Peek above, regarding the GOJ’s history of insincere negotiations vis-a-vis international human-rights agreements. I believe Japan will similarly ratify yet unfollow the Hague Convention on Child Abductions as well<\/a>. And not even bother to ratify much else once it gets on the UNSC.\u00a0 Arudou Debito<\/p>\n

\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/<\/p>\n

Britain pushes for Japan UN security seat after meeting
\n<\/strong> http:\/\/news.yahoo.com\/s\/afp\/20110503\/wl_asia_afp\/britainjapandiplomacy<\/a>
\nYahoo News \u00a0Tue May 3, 2011, courtesy of CB<\/strong><\/p>\n

LONDON (AFP) \u2013 Britain on Tuesday backed Japan’s claim for a permanent seat on the UN Security Council and promised to support its economic integration with the EU after the two nations’ foreign ministers met in London.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Foreign Secretary William Hague also told Takeaki Matsumoto, his Japanese counterpart, that Britain had “great admiration” for Japan’s response to the March earthquake and tsunami which devastated the country’s northeast coast.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

“Japan is unquestionably our closest partner in Asia,” Hague said in a statement.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

“Japan is a like-minded partner and a positive force in international peace and security and I repeat our support again today for an enlarged United Nations Security Council with a permanent seat for Japan,” he added.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Britain in March urged the European Union to ease barriers between the bloc and its outside trading partners, and used Tuesday’s meeting to repeat its demands.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

“The removal of tariff and non-tariff barriers could deliver over 40 billion euros ($59.2 billion) of additional European exports to Japan and more than 50 billion euros of additional exports from Japan to the EU,” argued Hague.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

The pair agreed to “support the people of Libya in their aspiration to be rid of a dictator” and on the “vital need to achieve a two state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict”.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Addressing the quake, Hague said: “We feel great friendship and affinity with the Japanese people in this hour of tragedy… and we have great admiration for the resilience and dignity and courage of the people of Japan.”<\/strong><\/em>
\nENDS<\/p>\n

\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/<\/p>\n

EXCERPT OF ARUDOU DEBITO PAPER (Copyright ARUDOU Debito)<\/strong><\/p>\n

3. Historical context of the GOJ\u2019s behavior<\/strong><\/p>\n

Japan has a long history of lack of initiative regarding its obligations under U.N. agreements in regards to human rights. \u00a0Peek (1992) notes, \u201cTokyo holds that human rights issues are a domestic matter and, therefore, beyond the mandate of the U.N\u2026. [Japan] has generally responded defensively to human rights proposals at variance with Japanese law or practice\u201d (219).\u00a0 In his view, Japan\u2019s lack of participation in the incipient stages of the U.N.\u2019s formation (including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948) led to the lack of \u201csignificant national stake in the U.N.\u2019s existing principles and structures\u201d (<\/em>ibid<\/em>), a relative inattention in the political sphere, and an understaffing in the relevant domestic bureaucratic organs.\u00a0 The high-profile tenure of Ogata Sadako as the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees notwithstanding, for decades Japan refused to even join the UNHCR in the 1960\u2019s and 1970\u2019s despite several direct appeals from other countries; the GOJ \u201cfeared being drawn into a public denunciation of the human rights policies of any particular state\u201d; even after joining the UNHCR, Japan\u2019s interest was in \u201cprotecting itself from unwanted or highly politicized criticism\u201d (both 220), and kept its participation \u201clow-key\u201d and abstemious from ruling on the majority of resolutions within its mandate.<\/em><\/p>\n

After Japan ratified the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights in 1979, it still opposed, as it had since the 1960\u2019s the establishment of a specific high commissioner to review issues of human rights, arguing the office would be \u201chighly politicized\u201d and lead to bureaucratic inefficiency; Peek noted, \u201cAt the core of Japan\u2019s position was its objection to any further encroachment on the internal affairs of sovereign nation-states\u201d (221).\u00a0 It also added \u201creservations\u201d to parts of the covenants (such as the review powers of the ICCPR\u2019s Human Rights Committee), expressed objections to individuals being able to report claims directly to the HRC (arguing that U.N. relations are state-to-state), and emphasized the need for \u201cfurther study\u201d of contentious issues.<\/em><\/p>\n

The conclusion that can be drawn from this: \u00a0Postwar Japan\u2019s leadership could not, and most likely still cannot, accept a fundamental tenet of the UN Charter — that there exists a \u201cuniversal set of human rights\u201d.\u00a0 This cultural relativism at first led to an attitude of, \u201cleave us alone, we\u2019ll leave you alone\u201d.\u00a0 However, this became less tenable with the ascendancy of Japan as the number two economic power in the 1980\u2019s, and Japan\u2019s own repeated demand for acceptance as a permanent member of the U.N. Security Council.\u00a0 With greater international power came the expectation of greater international accountability, responsibility, and initiative.<\/em><\/p>\n

Ironically, an argument can be made that some of Japan\u2019s more liberal laws were created as a matter of opportunistic timing vis-\u00e0-vis international attention, not grassroots pressure.\u00a0 Peek provides the example of the Equal Employment Opportunity Law, passed in 1984, legally guaranteeing equal pay for equal work regardless of gender.\u00a0 It was passed into law despite the opposition of women\u2019s groups and the opposition parties, who objected to its lack of enforceability.\u00a0 Peek writes, \u201cThe intent of the law seems to have been more than a symbolic bone tossed to domestic and international critics in anticipation of the upcoming 1985 world conference ending the U.N. Decade for Women\u201d (224).\u00a0 Peek also notes the GOJ concurrently passed a revised Nationality Law (now granting citizenship through mother as well as father), and ratified the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women.\u00a0 Thus, it would seem that for Japan to pass a law against RD, one would need a high-profile event (such as a Decade against Racism or a International Conference for Migrants) to trigger it, or a <\/em>quid pro quo<\/em> of sorts (such as a UNSC seat).\u00a0 Even then, this author anticipates that any RD law will contain built-in safeguards (such as a lack of fines or incarceration for miscreants) to ensure that it allays international critics but does not have statutes for enforcement.<\/em><\/p>\n

It is clear that from a historical perspective, the GOJ works on its own timetable, is largely impervious to repeated criticism both internationally and domestically, and makes reforms that do not overwhelmingly affect Japan\u2019s \u201csovereignty\u201d, however Japan\u2019s domestic arbiters determine it.\u00a0 As Peek (1991) notes, the GOJ \u201chas used the defensive tactics of denial of legitimacy, special interpretations, reservations, and symbolic change.\u00a0 It seeks to justify its tactics on the basis of culture differences.\u00a0 In essence, the Japanese government portrays its policy in terms of protecting the traditional ethic of harmonious human relations against the impersonal ethic of universalism contained in the covenants\u201d (10).<\/em><\/p>\n

There is of course the political dimension. Although pressure from the U.N. does, as Peek notes (1992: 226-9), lead to domestic human rights reforms, the Realpolitik of the situation indicates that NJ in Japan, a tiny minority (1.7% of the population, as opposed to women comprising half), disenfranchised without even suffrage (this will not change in the near future; the opposition to the Democratic Party of Japan\u2019s proposal to grant suffrage in local elections to NJ Permanent Residents led to its suspension in 2010 (Mainichi Daily News 2010)), have a great uphill climb to achieving anti-discrimination legislation.<\/em><\/p>\n

\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/<\/p>\n

EXCERPT ENDS<\/strong><\/p>\n

TWO MAJOR SOURCES: <\/strong><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Peek, J. M.<\/strong> 1991.\u00a0 \u201cJapan and the International Bill of Rights.\u201d\u00a0 Journal of Northeast Asian Studies<\/span>, Fall 1991 10(3): 3-16.<\/li>\n
  2. _____________. (1992). “Japan, The United Nations, and Human Rights.” Asian Survey<\/span> 32<\/strong>(3): 217-229.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Japan, The United Nations, and Human Rights <\/strong><\/p>\n

    Author(s): John M. Peek <\/strong><\/p>\n

    Source: Asian Survey, Vol. 32, No. 3 (Mar., 1992), pp. 217-229 <\/strong><\/p>\n

    Published by: University of California Press <\/strong><\/p>\n

    Stable URL: <\/strong>http:\/\/www.jstor.org\/stable\/2644935<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

    ENDS<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Here’s some news dovetailing with Japan’s unwillingness to abide by international treaty.<\/p>\n

    Japan, one of the United Nations’ largest financial contributors, has been pushing hard for decades now for a seat on the U.N. Security Council (last time in 2006), effectively to have a place at the table and more powerful voting rights with fellow big, rich, powerful nations. The GOJ has even signed treaties and created domestic laws, according to scholar John M. Peek (see below), just to make it look better internationally, i.e., more like a modern, responsible nation in the international arena. However, after signing these treaties, Japan has been quite constant in its unwillingness to actually create domestic laws to enforce international agreements (cf. the CERD), or when laws are created, they have little to no enforcement power (cf. the Equal Employment Opportunity Law, which has done little after more than a quarter century to ameliorate the wide disparity in wages between men and women in Japan).<\/p>\n

    The fact is, the GOJ does this stuff for window dressing. Now once it accomplishes its goal of getting an UNSC Seat, it will have no further incentive to sign, abide by, or obey international treaties at all. We have stated this to the United Nations at every opportunity.<\/p>\n

    Which is why Britain’s sudden turnaround to support Japan’s bid is so eye-blinkingly blind. It seems we are milking our disasters (partially caused by our government’s malfeasance in the first place) to get an international sympathy vote now. How cynical and opportunistic.<\/p>\n

    Read on for an excerpt of a research paper I wrote citing Dr. Peek above, regarding the GOJ’s history of insincere negotiations vis-a-vis international human-rights agreements. I believe Japan will similarly ratify yet unfollow the Hague Convention on Child Abductions as well. And not even bother to ratify much else once it gets on the UNSC.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[49,22,50,5,26,4,7],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-8876","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-child-abductions","category-cultural-issue","category-gaiatsu","category-human-rights","category-ironies-hypocrisies","category-japanese-government","category-united-nations"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.debito.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8876","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.debito.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.debito.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.debito.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.debito.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=8876"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.debito.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8876\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.debito.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=8876"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.debito.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=8876"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.debito.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=8876"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}