"企業の人権確保、年内に改定　リスク把握・中小支援を優先―政府案," 6 October 2025

[Unofficial description by Business & Human Rights Resource Centre]

The Japanese government has launched a public consultation as it moves to revise its National Action Plan on “Business and Human Rights” by the end of the year, aiming to prevent human rights abuses linked to corporate activities.

In the draft revision, the government identifies the enhancement of Japanese companies’ international competitiveness and sustainability as the key objectives of the action plan. For the first time, it designates the implementation of “human rights due diligence (DD)” and the development of systems among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) as “priority areas”.

To ensure that “no one is left behind,” the plan also underscores the government’s continued commitment to advancing gender equality and protecting the rights of foreign workers, persons with disabilities, children, and older people. In addition, it sets out Japan’s intention to focus on shaping international rules on generative AI.