ICRC Japan seminar Business in Complex Environments: Addressing Heightened Risks

On 9 November, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) Tokyo delegation organized a hybrid seminar to raise awareness and encourage Japanese companies to address human rights issues when operating in complex environments.

ICRC introduced and explained how the revised Security and Human Rights Toolkit (developed by DCAF, ICRC and the Geneva Centre for Business and Human Rights) can help Japanese companies undertake human rights due diligence in insecure contexts.

“The guidelines (Guidelines for Respecting Human Rights in Responsible Supply Chains by the Government of Japan) call for Japanese companies to respect the situations of the countries where they operate in conducting business” commented Mr Gen Nakatani, Special Advisor to the Japanese Prime Minister on international human rights issues, who presented during the event.

Representatives of the Global Compact Network Japan, UNDP and a former member of the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights also shared their views on business and human rights in conflict-affected contexts. The seminar was also supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, the Japan Business Federation, the Japanese Red Cross Society. Attended by about 120 participants, the seminar took a great step forward in promoting respect for IHL, addressing security and human rights challenges, and disseminating practical guidance to Japanese actors. Afterwards, the Toolkit will be translated to Japanese to support further outreach and implementation.

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