Reading in this paper that the public generally has a positive perception of human rights in Japan – “A 2008 poll, surveying more than 17,000 people in 34 countries, placed Japan in second place for positive public perceptions among a list of fourteen countries.” – was astonishing.
There’s not only its hideous, almost sadistic use of the death penalty, but also its utter maltreatment of women in the judicial system – as in this rape case, from which we learn that victims are actually forced to re-enact the crime for the police.
In statements to the courts, the Kanagawa police have argued they are not obligated to provide rape victims with underwear or showers and it is an unreasonable request that investigations require the participation of a female officer. The police also said that because rape victims do not need urgent medical treatment they are not required to take them to emergency rooms and they do not believe Jane’s assertion that she was too depressed by the crime to return to the scene. Taking re-enactment photos is normal protocol.
It reminded me of the point at which I abandoned reading Francis Fukuyama’s The End of History, in which he claimed that the almost zero statistics for recorded cases of domestic violence “proved” what a harmonious society it was. (Abandoned reading it by flinging it against the wall in fury – that Thai apartment wall probably still shows the mark.)
If the police won’t record an offence, and society doesn’t even think of the action as such, well, yes, the figures are going to be very low.
And all of that’s without even going into its treatment of non-ethnic Japanese in the society.
Japan should be right near the bottom of any league of human rights.
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