抄録
The third periodic report of Japan, which was due in May 2006, was finally submitted to the UN in April 2008. Not only was it presented behind schedule, the content and quality of the report is no better, or rather worse, than that of the previous two reports. The problems of the third periodic report include the following: (i) it does not provide sincere responses to the recommendations of the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child; (ii) a "rights-based approach" is completely ignored; (iii) it lacks important sets of data, making it impossible to understand children's realities and the effects of the relevant measures; (iv) it reflects inadequate understanding of the basic principles and provisions of the Convention; (v) it does not attempt to learn from municipal experiences; and (vi) it reflects reluctance on the part of the government to have sincere dialogue and cooperation with civil society. It is necessary to adopt a "rights-based approach" in the implementation and monitoring of the Convention. A "rights-based approach" should also be promoted specifically in the perspectives and methods of evaluation of child policies in Japan.
