National Documentation Packages (NDPs) are lists of public documents that provide information on country conditions. Updates occur on a regular basis.
NDPs support the refugee determination process. They do not imply recognition of a particular territory's sovereignty or political status.
NDPs include Responses to Information Requests (RIRs) published by the IRB on its website which may have attachments that are inaccessible due to technical constraints and may include translations of documents originally written in languages other than English or French. To obtain a copy of such attachments and/or translated version of the
RIR attachments, please
email us.
Jurisprudential Guides Notes
Jurisprudential Guides Notes
On
July 28, 2022, the Chairperson identified the following Refugee Appeal Division decision as being a
Jurisprudential Guide:
-
Decision TC1 05038 – The proper interpretation of the ‘generalized risk’ exception to protection found at subparagraph 97(1)(b)(ii) of the Act, in claims for protection involving allegations of gang-targeting or other acts of criminality.
On
December 22, 2020, the Chairperson identified the following Refugee Appeal Division decision as being a
Jurisprudential Guide.
-
Decision MB8-00025 – This Jurisprudential Guide addresses, in applying Article 1E of the Refugee Convention, whether members should consider allegations of risk in a country of residence if they conclude that a refugee claimant has the rights and obligations which are attached to the possession of nationality in that country.
On
July 6, 2018, the Chairperson identified the following Refugee Appeal Division decision as being a
Jurisprudential Guide.
-
Decision TB7-19851 – Nigeria – This Jurisprudential Guide addresses internal flight alternatives in major cities in south and central Nigeria for claimants fleeing non-state actors.
Revoked
The country documentation referenced in each of these decisions has been included in s.16 of the updated National Documentation Packages published on July 10, 2018.
On
July 20, 2017, the Chairperson identified the following Refugee Appeal Division decision as being
Jurisprudential Guides.
-
Decision TB7-01837 – Pakistan – Whether the treatment experienced by Ahmadis in Pakistan amounts to persecution, whether state protection is available and whether there is a viable internal flight alternative.
-
Decision MB6-01059/60 – India – Availability of an internal flight alternative in India for claimants from Punjab.
Revoked
-
Decision TB6-11632 – China – Analysis of the efficacy of the Chinese national computer network known as the Golden Shield Project and its impact on whether a person wanted by the authorities can exit China via an airport using a genuine passport.
Revoked
The country documentation referenced in each of these decisions has been included in s.16 of the updated National Documentation Packages published on July 20, 2017.
Back
29 September 2023
JAPAN
List of Documents
1.
General Information and Maps
Source:
United States. Central Intelligence Agency.
Accessed Date:
19 October 2012
Source:
France. Ministère de l'Europe et des Affaires étrangères.
Date of Document:
16 May 2023
Accessed Date:
12 September 2023
Title:
Japan. The World Factbook.
Source:
United States. Central Intelligence Agency.
Date of Document:
7 September 2023
Accessed Date:
18 September 2023
Title:
Japan Report: Sustainable Governance Indicators 2022
Author:
Ito Peng; Patrick Köllner
Accessed Date:
12 September 2023
Title:
Japan. Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2022.
Source:
United States. Department of State.
Date of Document:
20 March 2023
Accessed Date:
12 September 2023
Title:
Japan. Amnesty International Report 2022/23: The State of the World's Human Rights.
Source:
Amnesty International
Date of Document:
27 March 2023
Accessed Date:
12 September 2023
Title:
Japan. Freedom in the World 2023.
Accessed Date:
12 September 2023
Title:
Japan. World Report 2023: Events of 2022.
Source:
Human Rights Watch
Date of Document:
January 2023
Accessed Date:
12 September 2023
Title:
National report submitted pursuant to Human Rights Council resolutions 5/1 and 16/21: Japan
Code:
A/HRC/WG.6/42/JPN/1
Date of Document:
10 November 2022
Accessed Date:
12 September 2023
Title:
Japan: Compilation of information
Code:
A/HRC/WG.6/42/JPN/2
Source:
Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
Date of Document:
18 November 2022
Accessed Date:
12 September 2023
Title:
Summary of stakeholders' submissions on Japan
Code:
A/HRC/WG.6/42/JPN/3
Source:
Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
Date of Document:
31 October 2022
Accessed Date:
12 September 2023
3.
Identification Documents and Citizenship
Title:
The Nationality Law (amended 2008)
Accessed Date:
25 September 2013
Title:
Report on Citizenship Law: Japan
Source:
European University Institute. Global Citizenship Observatory.
Date of Document:
October 2016
Accessed Date:
12 September 2023
4.
Political Activities and Organizations
Title:
About parliament; Election results. Japan: House of Representatives.
Source:
Inter-Parliamentary Union. Parline.
Accessed Date:
12 September 2023
Title:
About parliament; Election results. Japan: House of Councillors.
Source:
Inter-Parliamentary Union. Parline.
Accessed Date:
12 September 2023
5.
Gender, Domestic Violence and Children
Title:
6. Violence Against Women. Women and Men in Japan 2020.
Source:
Japan. Gender Equality Bureau Cabinet Office.
Accessed Date:
12 September 2023
Title:
Act on the Prevention of Spousal Violence and the Protection of Victims (Act No. 31 of April 13, 2001) (amended 2014)
Accessed Date:
12 September 2023
Title:
Ninth periodic report submitted by Japan under article 18 of the Convention, due in 2020
Date of Document:
29 December 2021
Accessed Date:
12 September 2023
Title:
Japan's Not-So-Secret Shame. In the #MeToo era, it's high time for Japan to change its archaic and sexist approach to sexual assault.
Source:
Human Rights Watch
Date of Document:
29 July 2018
Accessed Date:
8 November 2018
Title:
Japan: Human rights law and discrimination against LGBT people in Japan
Source:
Amnesty International
Date of Document:
2 May 2017
Accessed Date:
12 September 2023
Source:
Australian Institute of International Affairs
Date of Document:
1 July 2021
Author:
Aleardo Zanghellini
Accessed Date:
12 September 2023
Title:
“The Law Undermines Dignity”. Momentum to Revise Japan's Legal Gender Recognition Process
Source:
Human Rights Watch
Date of Document:
25 May 2021
Accessed Date:
12 September 2023
Title:
Japan Passes Law to ‘Promote Understanding' of LGBT People Fight Continues for Comprehensive Nondiscrimination Legislation
Source:
Human Rights Watch
Date of Document:
12 July 2023
Accessed Date:
12 September 2023
Title:
Fukuoka ruling on same-sex couples shows progress on LGBTI rights
Source:
Amnesty International
Date of Document:
8 June 2023
Accessed Date:
12 September 2023
7.
Criminality and Corruption
Title:
Japan: Tier 2. Trafficking in Persons Report 2023.
Source:
United States. Department of State.
Date of Document:
15 June 2023
Accessed Date:
12 September 2023
Title:
OSAC Country Security Report: Japan
Source:
United States. Overseas Security Advisory Council.
Date of Document:
6 September 2023
Accessed Date:
12 September 2023
8.
Military Service - (No items in this section)
9.
Judiciary, Legal and Penal Systems
Title:
Criminal Justice in Japan
Source:
United Nations Asia and Far East Institute for the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders
Accessed Date:
12 September 2023
Title:
Japan's “Hostage Justice” System: Denial of Bail, Coerced Confessions, and Lack of Access to Lawyers
Source:
Human Rights Watch
Date of Document:
25 May 2023
Accessed Date:
12 September 2023
10.
Police and Security Forces - (No items in this section)
Title:
Japan. Freedom on the Net 2022.
Editor:
Adrian Shahbaz et al.
Accessed Date:
12 September 2023
Title:
Japan. International Religious Freedom Report for 2022.
Source:
United States. Department of State.
Date of Document:
15 May 2023
Accessed Date:
12 September 2023
13.
Nationality, Ethnicity and Race
Title:
Concluding observations on the combined tenth and eleventh periodic reports of Japan
Code:
CERD/C/JPN/CO/10-11
Source:
United Nations. Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.
Date of Document:
26 September 2018
Accessed Date:
12 September 2023
14.
Exit/Entry and Freedom of Movement
Title:
Japan Immigration Law Creates New Obstacles for Asylum Seekers
Source:
Human Rights Watch
Date of Document:
14 June 2023
Accessed Date:
12 September 2023
15.
Labour, Employment and Unions - (No items in this section)
16.
Other - (No items in this section)
The following changes have been made to the previous package dated 31 March 2020:
Title:
Japan. The World Factbook.
Source:
United States. Central Intelligence Agency.
Date of Document:
12 December 2018
URL:
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ja.html
Accessed Date:
18 December 2018
Title:
Japan. Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2019.
Source:
United States. Department of State.
Date of Document:
11 March 2020
URL:
https://www.state.gov/reports/2019-country-reports-on-human-rights-practices/japan/
Accessed Date:
20 March 2020
Title:
Japan. Amnesty International Report 2017/2018: The State of the World's Human Rights.
Source:
Amnesty International
Date of Document:
22 February 2018
URL:
https://www.amnesty.org/en/countries/asia-and-the-pacific/japan/report-japan/
Accessed Date:
8 November 2018
Title:
Japan. Freedom in the World 2018.
URL:
https://freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-world/2018/japan
Accessed Date:
8 November 2018
Title:
Japan. World Report 2018: Events of 2017.
Source:
Human Rights Watch
Date of Document:
January 2018
URL:
https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2018/country-chapters/japan
Accessed Date:
8 November 2018
Title:
6. Violence against women. Women and Men in Japan 2017.
Source:
Japan. Gender Equality Bureau Cabinet Office.
URL:
http://www.gender.go.jp/english_contents/pr_act/pub/pamphlet/women-and-men17/pdf/1-6.pdf
Accessed Date:
24 November 2017
Title:
Act on the Prevention of Spousal Violence and the Protection of Victims (Act No. 31 of 2001)
URL:
http://www.gender.go.jp/policy/no_violence/e-vaw/law/pdf/sv.pdf
Accessed Date:
24 November 2017
Title:
Japan: Tier 1. Trafficking in Persons Report 2018.
Source:
United States. Department of State.
Date of Document:
June 2018
URL:
https://www.state.gov/reports/2018-trafficking-in-persons-report/japan/
Accessed Date:
8 November 2018
Title:
Japan. 2018 Crime and Safety Report: Tokyo.
Source:
United States. Overseas Security Advisory Council.
Date of Document:
21 March 2018
URL:
https://www.osac.gov/Content/Report/ab326d9b-68e5-46e2-9d85-15f4ae5a763b
Accessed Date:
8 November 2018
Title:
Criminal Justice in Japan
Source:
United Nations. Asia and Far East Institute for the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders.
URL:
https://www.unafei.or.jp/publications/pdf/CJSJ_2014/00CJSJ_2014.pdf
Accessed Date:
8 November 2016
Title:
Japan. Freedom on the Net 2018.
URL:
https://freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-net/2018/japan
Accessed Date:
23 November 2018
Title:
Japan. International Religious Freedom Report for 2017.
Source:
United States. Department of State.
Date of Document:
29 May 2018
URL:
https://www.state.gov/reports/2017-report-on-international-religious-freedom/japan/
Accessed Date:
8 November 2018
Title:
Japon. L'Encyclopédie en ligne.
Date of Document:
10 November 2016
URL:
http://www.larousse.fr/encyclopedie/cartes/Japon/1306082
Accessed Date:
24 November 2016
Title:
National report submitted in accordance with paragraph 5 of the annex to Human Rights Council resolution 16/21
Code:
A/HRC/WG.6/28/JPN/1
Date of Document:
31 August 2017
URL:
http://undocs.org/A/HRC/WG.6/28/JPN/1
Accessed Date:
8 November 2018
Title:
Report of the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression on his mission to Japan
Source:
United Nations. Human Rights Council.
Date of Document:
15 June 2017
URL:
http://www.undocs.org/A/HRC/35/22/Add.1
Accessed Date:
24 November 2017
Title:
Summary of Stakeholders' submissions on Japan
Code:
A/HRC/WG.6/28/JPN/3
Source:
United Nations. Human Rights Council.
Date of Document:
23 August 2017
URL:
http://undocs.org/en/A/HRC/WG.6/28/JPN/3
Accessed Date:
24 November 2017
Title:
Criteria Changes to Acquisition of Japanese Nationality
URL:
http://www.moj.go.jp/MINJI/minji163-e1.pdf
Accessed Date:
29 October 2014
Keywords:
children; citizenship; legislation; marriage; nationality
Title:
Japan. Shugiin (House of Representatives).
Source:
Inter-Parliamentary Union. Parline.
Date of Document:
2 July 2018
URL:
http://www.ipu.org/parline-e/reports/2161.htm
Accessed Date:
8 November 2018
Title:
Concluding observations on the combined seventh and eighth periodic reports of Japan
Source:
United Nations. Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women.
Date of Document:
10 March 2016
URL:
http://www.undocs.org/en/CEDAW/C/JPN/CO/7-8
Accessed Date:
24 November 2016
Title:
Japan: Two Laws Amended to Better Protect Women
Source:
United States. Library of Congress. Global Legal Monitor.
Date of Document:
23 August 2013
URL:
http://www.loc.gov/law/foreign-news/article/japan-two-laws-amended-to-better-protect-women/
Accessed Date:
8 November 2016
Title:
Alternative Report for the Follow-up Procedure of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women
Source:
Japan NGO Network for CEDAW (JNNC)
Date of Document:
6 March 2018
URL:
https://tbinternet.ohchr.org/Treaties/CEDAW/Shared%20Documents/JPN/INT_CEDAW_NGS_JPN_30527_E.pdf
Accessed Date:
8 November 2018
Title:
Concluding observations on the combined seventh and eighth periodic reports of Japan. Addendum. Information provided by Japan in follow-up to the concluding observation.
Code:
CEDAW/C/JPN/CO/7-8/Add.1
Date of Document:
11 April 2018
URL:
http://undocs.org/en/CEDAW/C/JPN/CO/7-8/Add.1
Accessed Date:
8 November 2018
Title:
Japan: 2016 Criminal Justice System Reform
Source:
United States. Law Library of Congress. Global Legal Research Center.
Date of Document:
14 December 2016
URL:
http://www.loc.gov/law/help/criminal-justice-system-reform/japan.php
Accessed Date:
8 November 2018
Title:
Challenging exclusion through cultural traditions: the struggles of Ainu feminists to end multiple discrimination in Japan. State of the World's Minorities and Indigenous Peoples 2016: Events of 2015.
Source:
Minority Rights Group International
Date of Document:
July 2016
URL:
http://minorityrights.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/MRG-SWM-2016.pdf
Accessed Date:
24 November 2017
Title:
Japan's Not-So-Secret Shame. In the #MeToo era, it's high time for Japan to change its archaic and sexist approach to sexual assault.
Source:
Human Rights Watch
Date of Document:
29 July 2018
URL:
https://www.hrw.org/news/2018/07/29/japans-not-so-secret-shame
Accessed Date:
8 November 2018
Source:
France. Ministère de l'Europe et des Affaires étrangères.
Date of Document:
16 May 2023
URL:
https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/dossiers-pays/japon/presentation-du-japon/
Accessed Date:
12 September 2023
Title:
Japan Report: Sustainable Governance Indicators 2022
Author:
Ito Peng; Patrick Köllner
URL:
https://www.sgi-network.org/docs/2022/country/SGI2022_Japan.pdf
Accessed Date:
12 September 2023
Title:
National report submitted pursuant to Human Rights Council resolutions 5/1 and 16/21: Japan
Code:
A/HRC/WG.6/42/JPN/1
Date of Document:
10 November 2022
URL:
https://undocs.org/en/A/HRC/WG.6/42/JPN/1
Accessed Date:
12 September 2023
Title:
Japan: Compilation of information
Code:
A/HRC/WG.6/42/JPN/2
Source:
Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
Date of Document:
18 November 2022
URL:
https://undocs.org/en/A/HRC/WG.6/42/JPN/2
Accessed Date:
12 September 2023
Title:
Summary of stakeholders' submissions on Japan
Code:
A/HRC/WG.6/42/JPN/3
Source:
Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
Date of Document:
31 October 2022
URL:
https://undocs.org/en/A/HRC/WG.6/42/JPN/3
Accessed Date:
12 September 2023
Title:
Report on Citizenship Law: Japan
Source:
European University Institute. Global Citizenship Observatory.
Date of Document:
October 2016
URL:
https://cadmus.eui.eu/bitstream/handle/1814/43625/EudoCit_2016_11Japan%20.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y
Accessed Date:
12 September 2023
Title:
About parliament; Election results. Japan: House of Representatives.
Source:
Inter-Parliamentary Union. Parline.
URL:
https://data.ipu.org/parliament/jp?chamber_id=13432
Accessed Date:
12 September 2023
Title:
About parliament; Election results. Japan: House of Councillors.
Source:
Inter-Parliamentary Union. Parline.
URL:
https://data.ipu.org/parliament/jp?chamber_id=13433
Accessed Date:
12 September 2023
Title:
Ninth periodic report submitted by Japan under article 18 of the Convention, due in 2020
Date of Document:
29 December 2021
URL:
http://www.undocs.org/en/CEDAW/C/JPN/9
Accessed Date:
12 September 2023
Title:
Japan: Human rights law and discrimination against LGBT people in Japan
Source:
Amnesty International
Date of Document:
2 May 2017
URL:
https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/asa22/5955/2017/en/
Accessed Date:
12 September 2023
Source:
Australian Institute of International Affairs
Date of Document:
1 July 2021
Author:
Aleardo Zanghellini
URL:
https://www.internationalaffairs.org.au/australianoutlook/lgbtq-rights-in-japan/
Accessed Date:
12 September 2023
Title:
“The Law Undermines Dignity”. Momentum to Revise Japan's Legal Gender Recognition Process
Source:
Human Rights Watch
Date of Document:
25 May 2021
URL:
https://www.hrw.org/report/2021/05/25/law-undermines-dignity/momentum-revise-japans-legal-gender-recognition-process
Accessed Date:
12 September 2023
Title:
Japan Passes Law to ‘Promote Understanding' of LGBT People Fight Continues for Comprehensive Nondiscrimination Legislation
Source:
Human Rights Watch
Date of Document:
12 July 2023
URL:
https://www.hrw.org/news/2023/07/12/japan-passes-law-promote-understanding-lgbt-people
Accessed Date:
12 September 2023
Title:
Fukuoka ruling on same-sex couples shows progress on LGBTI rights
Source:
Amnesty International
Date of Document:
8 June 2023
URL:
https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2023/06/japan-fukuoka-ruling-on-same-sex-couples-shows-progress-on-lgbti-rights/
Accessed Date:
12 September 2023
Title:
Japan's “Hostage Justice” System: Denial of Bail, Coerced Confessions, and Lack of Access to Lawyers
Source:
Human Rights Watch
Date of Document:
25 May 2023
URL:
https://www.hrw.org/report/2023/05/25/japans-hostage-justice-system/denial-bail-coerced-confessions-and-lack-access
Accessed Date:
12 September 2023
Title:
Concluding observations on the combined tenth and eleventh periodic reports of Japan
Code:
CERD/C/JPN/CO/10-11
Source:
United Nations. Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.
Date of Document:
26 September 2018
URL:
https://www.undocs.org/en/CERD/C/JPN/CO/10-11
Accessed Date:
12 September 2023
Title:
Japan Immigration Law Creates New Obstacles for Asylum Seekers
Source:
Human Rights Watch
Date of Document:
14 June 2023
URL:
https://www.hrw.org/news/2023/06/14/japan-immigration-law-creates-new-obstacles-asylum-seekers
Accessed Date:
12 September 2023
Disclaimer
National Documentation Packages (NDPs) include country-of-origin information that is publicly accessible at the time of publication and available within time constraints. While the Research Directorate strives to maintain the
NDP with current information, the research is not exhaustive and country conditions can change rapidly. Members of the public are invited to
suggest documents they feel are relevant to the
NDP.
NDPs are not, and do not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Rather, they are intended to support the refugee determination process. The assessment and weight to be given to the information in the
NDPs are the responsibility of independent
IRB members (decision-makers) after considering the evidence and arguments presented by the parties.
All sources are fully cited, including a hyperlink, to facilitate the location of the information. The
IRB will attempt to ensure that these links are maintained for the most recent
NDP. It cannot guarantee or be responsible for:
- the functionality of links to external sources,
- the content accessed by these links,
- the availability of external content in both English and French,
- any other part of a third party website.
The information presented in
NDPs solely reflects the views and perspectives of the sources cited and does not necessarily reflect the position of the
IRB or the Government of Canada.