9 Nov 2020

...To that end, SHs have had a set of mutual dialogue to discuss what should be included in the NAP, and submitted to the government two rounds of common requests that formed a minimum consensus among stakeholders("Stakeholder Common Requests"), requiring that the request to be reflected in the NAPs (Stakeholder Common Request No. 1 and No. 2)...SHs regret that the Stakeholder Common Requests have not fully reflected in their NAPs, while recognising a partial reflect...

In this regard, the NAP states that "a mechanism will be set up for continuous dialogue based on a relationship of trust between relevant ministries/agencies and stakeholders (including opportunities to review the implementation of the NAP) promptly after the finalisation of the NAP". However, the details of this mechanism remain unclear. The NAP also states that the Inter-Ministerial Committee will promptly start discussion on (1) an effective and sustainable follow-up mechanism, (2) information sharing that leads to the introduction of corporate human rights due diligence, and (3) review of the progress of corporate human rights due diligence. These process should be developed and implemented based on a meaningful dialogue with stakeholders.

Therefore, SHs request the government to systematise the measure referred in the Stakeholder Common Request 2, "Establishing a system for stakeholder-involved implementation, monitoring and revision of the NAP." SHs have been promoting mutual understanding through dialogue within and between respective organizations in the process of developing the NAP to date. What is unique compared to the NAP development process over the world is that, in Japan SHs with different views and positions reached out an agreement to propose and publish the common request based on the common recognition of the need to promote measures on "Business and Human Rights". Being fully attentive of the effect of this initiative, SHs will continue our efforts to promote an open dialogue among ourselves...