Japan should push China harder on human rights, adviser to PM says
- Gen Nakatani says ‘it’s important that universal values are protected in China, so I want to press China on this even harder than in the past’
- A parliamentary resolution this week expressed concern about Xinjiang, Tibet, Inner Mongolia and Hong Kong and called on the government to probe alleged abuses
The former defence minister had previously worked on human rights with a group of legislators from ruling and opposition parties. Long reluctant to criticise other countries in public over human rights, Japan changed course following Beijing’s clampdown on Hong Kong in 2020, a move that chilled already difficult bilateral relations – and led to the new post Nakatani now holds.
The resolution “makes demands of the government in very strong terms”, Nakatani said in an interview with Bloomberg two days ahead of the Beijing Olympics opening ceremony on Friday. “I believe it’s important that universal values are protected in China, so I want to press China on this even harder than in the past.”
Lawmakers from Japan’s ruling and opposition parties backed the motion, although some complained the wording was not strong enough. The resolution urges the Japanese government to gather information about the allegations of abuse and to work with other countries to form a plan to help those affected.
Asia’s second-largest economy treads a narrow path as it seeks to maintain ties with the US, its only formal military ally, while avoiding alienating China, its giant neighbour and biggest trading partner.
China has consistently denied allegations that it oppresses Muslim Uygurs, dubbing them “the lie of the century”.
With Western governments toughening their stance on the issue, Japan must prepare guidelines “at top speed” to help corporations comply with new overseas laws, or they may face obstacles to trade, Nakatani added.
Such legislation presents many firms with difficulties, given that Xinjiang is a source for cotton used in clothing and is a key location for producing polysilicon used in solar panels. Intel Corp, which asked suppliers not to use labour or products from Xinjiang, apologised after a storm of criticism on Chinese social media.
A survey published by Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry in December gained responses from only about a quarter of the 2,786 major companies contacted. Just over half of respondents said they had a human rights due diligence policy in place. Nakatani said attitudes were changing rapidly.