The government introduced measures to prevent harassment of LGBTI people at work, but no law was passed to protect them from overall discrimination. Domestic violence against women increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. The authorities’ responses to the pandemic excluded certain ethnic minorities.

Following the executions of seven members of the religious cult Aum Shinrikyo (Aum) earlier this month, the remaining six men sentenced to death in the same case were hanged early on 26 July 2018. The last time Japan executed more than 10 people in a year was in 2008. It is also extremely rare for...

Seven members of Aum Shinrikyo cult were executed without prior notice on 6 July 2018. The six other men sentenced to death in the same case remain at imminent risk of execution. The pattern against the international law to execute individuals with appeals or other proceedings still pending may...

The execution of 13 members of Aum Shinrikyo could be carried out any moment following the completion of the trial for the final two other cult members who turned themselves in after 17 years on the run.

Hiroji Yamashiro, 64 years of age, has been released on bail after five months in detention without being able to see his family. Arrested for his role in protests against new U.S. military construction projects in Okinawa, his next court hearing is scheduled for 27 March 2017.

Hiroji Yamashiro remains in detention following the denial of his Special Appeal for bail by the Supreme Court on 20 February 2017. Arrested for his role in protests against new U.S. military construction projects in Okinawa, Hiroji Yamashiro has not been able to see his family since 17 October...

Hiroji Yamashiro has been detained since mid-October 2016 after protesting against new U.S. military construction projects in Okinawa. Aged 64 years, concerns for his well-being have been raised as medical tests show a deterioration in his health. All requests for bail have been denied.

Thirteen members of the Aum Shinrikyo cult are now at risk of execution in Japan, following the conclusion of the trials of other cult members. The 13 men were found guilty of and sentenced to death for carrying out a deadly sarin gas attack in the Tokyo subway in 1995 and other illegal activities....

There is a high risk of imminent executions of death row inmates in Japan, after Taki Makoto, who was appointed Minister of Justice in Japan on 4 June, stated that he supports the death penalty. Estimates suggest that there are over 130 death row inmates; all of whom are at imminent risk of...

OGAWA Toshio, who was appointed Minister of Justice on 13 January 2012, has said that he intends to resume executions. Last year Japan did not carry out any executions, for the first time in 19 years. The estimated 130 death row inmates are now at greater risk of execution.

Thirteen members of the Aum Shinrikyo cult found guilty of carrying out the gas attack in the Tokyo subway in 1995 are at imminent risk of execution. The Japanese Minister of Justice is under pressure from other ministers to carry out executions before 2012. This means the cult members, and indeed...

Two men, Ogata Hidenori and Shinozawa Kazuo, were hanged in the Japanese capital, Tokyo, on 28 July 2010. Of the five men on death row in Japan referred to in an earlier urgent action, four have now been executed. The fifth man, Zoda Hiroshi, could be executed at any time.

Maeue Hiroshi and Yamaji Yukio were hanged on 28 July 2009. Three other men, Shinozawa Kazuo, Zoda Hiroshi and Ogata Hideki, remain in imminent danger of execution. The two men were hanged at the same time as a third man, Chinese national Chen Detong, bringing the total number of executions this...