In Japan, there is a growing momentum towards introducing mandatory Human Rights Due Diligence (mHRDD).

A Japanese NGO, Human Rights Now (HRN), published a paper explaining the necessity of having mandatory measures and published draft legislation on 22 April.

Additionally, on 26 April, an inter-house meeting on 'Universal Human Rights Due Diligence Legislation' was held by HRN, Non-partisan Parliamentary Association for Reconsidering Human Rights Diplomacy and Non-partisan Parliamentary Association to Promote 'Human Rights Diplomacy', along with other CSOs. In the meeting, a joint letter and draft bill were handed to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) and the Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry (METI) urging them to introduce the mHRDD. This collaborative effort emphasizes the need for a legal framework that compels companies to conduct due diligence on human rights and environmental issues.

Recently on 17 May, the Non-partisan Parliamentary Association for Reconsidering Human Rights Diplomacy made a formal recommendation to the government on the introduction of mHRDD by the end of 2023. In the recommendations, the Association pointed out that "without legal binding force, there is a high risk of serious human rights violations (in the supply chain)" and stressed that "legislation cannot be avoided in order to eliminate human rights violations associated with international economic activities".

This story page will be updated regularly regarding the development of mandatory measures in Japan.