Advocacy

In addition to our action-based initiatives aimed at directly improving access to medical care and information for women and other vulnerable populations, JOICFP is strongly involved in advocacy. In our advocacy, we center conveying the voices of civil society to the political sphere with the aim of solving social issues through systemic changes in policy and law. Collaborating with individuals, companies, and organizations that aim to promote SRHR, we highlight social issues and propose improvement efforts to leaders involved in policy decision-making and management. In addition to our international advocacy, we also work to improve Japan’s SRHR situation through partnerships with the international community, such as bringing awareness to Japan’s issues at the United Nations and other international conferences.

Domestic Advocacy

Targeting the Government of Japan (GoJ):: We lobby policymakers, including the Japanese government and members of the Diet, to promote SRHR as a fundamental human right. To this end, we submit recommendations to relevant ministers and bureaucrats on the importance of SRHR. An example of our recent achievements is the inclusion of SRHR within the GoJ’s global health strategy (2022-2027).

Youth advocacy:: JOICFP serves as the secretariat for the SRHR Youth Alliance, a network for youth committed to advocating for domestic SRHR and tackling gender inequities. We support youth activists in conveying their opinions and requests to the government by fostering dialogue with members of parliament.

Engaging with civil society and the media:: We raise public awareness of the importance of SRHR through a variety of events, including informational sessions, press briefings, demonstrations, and meetings where members of civil society can voice their opinions directly to members of the parliament. For example, in 2024 we held a public SRHR Standing Action event in collaboration with JSPN (Japan SRHR Promotion Network: JOICFP, #Nandenaino Project, Spring General Incorporated Association, and Plan International Japan Public Interest Foundation). Our goal was to underscore how institutional gender-based discrimination is deeply rooted in Japanese society, including its medical and legal systems, and the essential need to protect SRHR to combat such harms.

International Advocacy

Strengthening solidarity across civil society through summits such as the G7 and G20:: G7 stands for “Group of Seven.” The G7 (Group of Seven) Summit is a forum where the leaders of seven countries (France, United States, United Kingdom, Germany, Japan, Italy, and Canada) and the EU (European Union) share discourse on the global economy, regional situations, and various international issues. In 2023, the G7 Summit was held in Hiroshima. It was held in Hiroshima, Japan in 2023.
G7 involves numerous social actors, such as companies, non-profit organizations, and civic groups, who gather in Engagement Groups to foster greater civil society participation. Engagement groups compile policy recommendations (communiqués). W7 (Women 7) is one of these engagement groups, specializing in women’s rights. JOICFP served as the secretariat of the W7 at the 2023 Hiroshima Summit, together with the SDGs Civil Society Network General Incorporated Association. A W7 Communiqué was prepared by approximately 80 gender experts from 38 countries and handed directly to then Prime Minister Kishida. Important items such as gender equality and SRHR were also reflected in the G7 Leaders’ Declaration.

Working with the United Nations and international organizations:: influence Japanese policies with international perspectives through global advocacy. A key initiative is the submission of shadow reports, in which JOICFP has shared detailed accounts of Japan’s SRHR challenges to the United Nations Human Rights Council in recent years. In general, shadow reports are submitted by NGOs to highlight issues not raised by or obscured by their governments. JOICFP has also actively engaged in lobbying activities to convey the voice of civil society to the Human Rights Council, leading to many recommendations for improving policies surrounding SRHR.

In 2024, JOICFP prepared a civil society report for the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) and participated in Japan’s review at the UN’s European Headquarters. As a result, CEDAW’s recommendations to the GoJ had an unprecedentedly strong focus on SRHR, completely reflecting JOICFP and partner organization’s CSO report. The removal of spousal consent requirements for abortion and improvement of access to emergency contraceptives were listed as “follow-up (discrimination issues to be focused on) items”, which require a written status report after two years. Furthermore, recommendations were made regarding the introduction of comprehensive sex education into public education, removal of abortion as a criminal offence from the Criminal Code, legalisation of same-sex marriage, and, among other things, the restoration of harm (including compensation) to those who were forced to undergo sterilisation under Gender Identity Disorder Special Law.
In January 2023, Japan underwent its fourth Universal Periodic Review (UPR), a mechanism established by the United Nations Human Rights Council to review the human rights status of all UN member states every 4.5 years. Of the recommendations Japan received, 36 made by 24 member states regarded SRHR, including improving access to contraceptives, abolishing the criminalization of abortion, and prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. In response, the Japanese government submitted their view of the UPR recommendations, having accepted only 1 of the 36 SRHR recommendations. JOICFP issued a statement of concern during the subsequent adoption meeting in response to these views by the Japanese government.

Partnership with the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF):: IPPF is one of the largest international NGOs that engages in policy advocacy to protect SRHR for all people around the world, with a particular focus on vulnerable people, women, and youth. JOICFP is IPPF’s international collaboration partner and has served as the Tokyo Liaison Office since 1975. JOICFP and IPPF also work closely together in global policy advocacy initiatives.

Promoting international campaigns:: JOICFP is a member of Asia Pacific Alliance for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (APA), and also participates in global alliances and policy advocacy in Europe and the Asia-Pacific region.