Laws related to the buraku issue
Laws
The supplementary provisions of all laws are omitted due to space issues. They will be added later and differently
Special Measures Law for Dōwa Projects
1969-1982
Article 1
(Goal)
In accordance with the principles of the Constitution of Japan, which guarantees the fundamental human rights to all citizens, the purpose of this Law is to clarify the objectives of the measures conducted by the cooperation of State and local governments in areas where historical and social reasons prevented the stabilisation and improvement of living conditions (hereinafter referred to as ‘designated areas'), and to contribute to the cultivation of economic strength, the stabilisation of the living conditions of the residents and the improvement of their welfare, etc. in the designated areas, by taking special measures necessary to achieve these objectives.
Article 2
(Dōwa Measures Projects)
In this law “Dōwa Measures Projects” means projects realized that are listed under the Sixth Article
Article 3
(Responsibility of the citizens)
All citizens must understand the main purpose of the Dōwa measures projects, mutually respect basic human rights, and endeavour to cooperate in the smooth implementation of the dōwa measurements projects.
Article 4
(Responsibilities of national and local government)
The State and local governments shall endeavour to promote the implementation of Dōwa Measure Projects in a prompt and scheduled manner.
Article 5
(Goal of the Dōwa Measures Projects)
The goal of the Dōwa Measures Projects shall be the elimination of various factors that unfairly hinder the improvement of the social and economic status of the residents of the designated areas by improving their living environment, promoting social welfare, promoting industry, stabilising jobs, improving education, and strengthening human rights protection activities in the designated areas.
Article 6
(National Policies)
In order to achieve the goal of Article 1, the State shall take the necessary measurements comprehensively through policies with regard to every matter listed in the following
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Measures to improve the living environment in the designated areas, including the arrangement of areas, improvement of housing conditions, and the development of public and living environment facilities.
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Measures such as the development of social welfare and public health facilities in order to improve and promote social welfare and public health in the designated areas.
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Measures to promote agriculture, forestry, and fisheries in the designated areas, including the introduction of facilities for the improvement and development of the production infrastructure of agriculture, forestry, and fisheries and for the modernisation of their management.
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Measures to promote small and medium-sized enterprises in the designated area, including rationalisation of the management, modernisation of equipment and improvement of technology.
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Measures to promote employment and job security for the residents of the designated areas, by enhancing vocational guidance and training, and promoting job introductions.
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Measures to improve school and social education for the residents of the designated areas, including the encouragement to higher education and the development of social education facilities.
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Measures to strengthen human rights protection activities for residents in the designated areas, such as improving human rights protection institutions, promoting, and uplifting human rights ideas, and promoting human rights counselling activities.
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Measures in addition to the measurements listed in the preceding paragraphs to achieve the goal set out in the preceding article
Article 7
(Special Subsidies)
The burden or assistance for the costs of the Dōwa Measures Projects which are borne or subsidised by the State, shall be calculated within the limits of the budget by a ratio of two-third, unless otherwise provided for in a Cabinet Order.
(2) In the case of the preceding paragraph, where a legal provision stipulates a proportion of the State's contribution or assistance that is less than two-third, the proportion shall be changed to two-thirds by a Cabinet Order.
Article 8
(Policies of local governments)
Local authorities shall endeavour to take the necessary measures in accordance with national policies.
Article 9
(Municipal Bonds)
Expenses required by local governments for the implementation of Dōwa Measures Projects may be financed by municipal bonds, even if such expenses do not fall under any of the items of Article 5(1) of the Local Finance Act (Act No. 109 of 1948).
(2) Municipal bonds issued to finance the expenses required by local governments for the implementation of Dōwa Measures Projects shall be fully financed by the State from the funds of the Trust Fund Bureau or from the reserve fund of the special account for postal pensions and postal life insurance, as far as the financial situation permits.
Article 10
(Inclusion of principal and interest payments in the standard financial requirement)
Expenses required for the redemption of principal and interest on municipal bonds designated by the Minister of Home Affairs to finance the expenses required by local governments for Dōwa Measures Projects shall be included in the amount of standard fiscal demand used in the calculation of the amount of local government grants tax to be granted to the said local governments, pursuant to the provisions of the Local Grants Tax Act (Act No. 211 of 1950).
Article 11
(Cooperation with relevant government agencies, etc.)
The heads of the administrative bodies concerned, and the heads of the local governments concerned shall cooperate with each other to ensure the smooth implementation of the Dōwa Measures Projects.
Special Measures Law for Regional Improvements
1982-1987
Article 1
(Goal)
In accordance with the principles of the Constitution of Japan, which guarantees the fundamental human rights to all citizens, the purpose of this Law shall is to contribute to the cultivation of economic strength, the stabilisation of the lives of residents and the improvement of welfare in areas where historical and social reasons prevented the stabilisation and improvement of living conditions (hereinafter referred to as "designated areas”) by taking special measures necessary for the smooth implementation of projects specified by Cabinet Order concerning the improvement of the living environment, industrial promotion, job security, education, enhancement of human rights protection activities, promotion of social welfare, etc. (hereinafter referred to as “Regional Improvement Projects”) in the designated areas.
Article 2
(Promotion, etc. of Regional Improvement Projects)
In order to achieve the goals of the preceding Article, the State and local governments shall cooperate and endeavour to promote Regional Improvement Projects in a prompt and comprehensive manner.
(2) In implementing Regional Improvement Projects, the State and local governments shall strive to ensure the unity of the designated and the surrounding area and to operate the projects in a fair manner.
(3) Citizens must understand the main purpose of the Regional Improvement Projects, mutually respect basic human rights and endeavour to cooperate in the smooth implementation of the Regional Improvement Projects.
Article 3
(Special Subsidies)
The burden or assistance for the costs of the Regional Improvement Projects which are borne or subsidised by the State, shall be calculated within the limits of the budget by a ratio of two-third, unless otherwise provided for in a Cabinet Order.
(2) In the case of the preceding paragraph, where a legal provision stipulates a proportion of the State's contribution or assistance that is less than two-third, the proportion shall be changed to two-thirds by a Cabinet Order.
Article 4
(Municipal Bonds)
Expenses required by local governments for the implementation of Regional Improvement Projects may be financed by municipal bonds, even if such expenses do not fall under any of the items of Article 5(1) of the Local Finance Act (Act No. 109 of 1948).
(2) Municipal bonds issued to finance the expenses required by local governments for the implementation of Regional Improvement Projects shall be fully financed by the State from the funds of the Trust Fund Bureau or from the reserve fund of the special account for postal pensions and postal life insurance, as far as the financial situation permits.
Article 5
(Inclusion of principal and interest payments in the standard financial requirement)
Expenses required for the redemption of principal and interest on municipal bonds designated by the Minister of Home Affairs to finance the expenses required by local governments for Dōwa Measures Projects shall be included in the amount of standard fiscal demand used in the calculation of the amount of local government grants tax to be granted to the said local governments, pursuant to the provisions of the Local Grants Tax Act (Act No. 211 of 1950).
Law on Special Measures under the National Fund for specific projects of Regional Reform
1987-2002
Article 1
(Intention)
This Law shall provide for special subsidies and other special financial measures of the State and local governments for the smooth and rapid implementation of specified projects for regional reform undertaken by the State and local governments.
Article 2
(Specified Projects for Regional Reform)
The term ‘Specified Projects for Regional Reform’ as used in this Law means projects relating to improvement of the living environment, promotion of industry, job security, enhancement of education, strengthening of human rights protection activities, promotion of social welfare, etc., which are deemed particularly necessary to be continued in the designated areas prescribed in Article 1 of the former Special Measures Law for Regional Improvements (hereinafter referred to as Old Regional Reform Law) where such projects were implemented and are specified in a Cabinet Order.
2) The State and local governments shall cooperate to ensure the smooth and prompt implementation of specific projects for local improvement measures.
Article 3
(Special Subsidies)
The burden or assistance for the costs of the Specified Projects for Regional Reform which are borne or subsidised by the State, shall be calculated within the limits of the budget by a ratio of two-third, unless otherwise provided for in a Cabinet Order.
2) In the case of the preceding paragraph, where a legal provision stipulates a proportion of the State's contribution or assistance that is less than two-third, the proportion shall be changed to two-thirds by a Cabinet Order.
Article 4
(Municipal Bonds)
Expenses required by local governments for the implementation of Specified Projects for Regional Reform may be financed by municipal bonds, even if such expenses do not fall under any of the items of Article 5(1) of the Local Finance Act (Act No. 109 of 1948).
2) Municipal bonds issued to finance the expenses required by local governments for the implementation of Specified Projects for Regional Reform shall be fully financed by the State from the funds of the Trust Fund Bureau or from the reserve fund of the special account for postal pensions and postal life insurance, as far as the financial situation permits.
Article 5
(Inclusion of principal and interest payments in the standard financial requirement)
Expenses required for the redemption of principal and interest on municipal bonds designated by the Minister of Home Affairs to finance the expenses required by local governments for Specified Projects for Regional Reform shall be included in the amount of standard fiscal demand used in the calculation of the amount of local government grants tax to be granted to the said local governments, pursuant to the provisions of the Local Grants Tax Act (Act No. 211 of 1950).
The Act for the Promotion of the Elimination of Buraku Discrimination
2016
(English Translation provided by IMADR)
Article 1
(Goal)
In the light of the fact that Buraku discrimination still exists even today and that the situation of Buraku discrimination has been changed along with the increased use of information technologies, and given the importance of the challenge to eliminate Buraku discrimination on the basis of the recognition that such discrimination is not acceptable in line with the principles of the Constitution of Japan, which guarantees the enjoyment of fundamental human rights for all citizens, the present Act aims at promoting the elimination of Buraku discrimination, by establishing the basic principle and defining the responsibilities of the State and local governments in relation to the elimination of Buraku discrimination as well as by providing for the consolidation of advisory mechanisms and other measures, thereby realizing a society free from Buraku discrimination.
Article 2
(Basic Principle)
The measures concerning the elimination of Buraku discrimination shall be taken with a view to realizing a society free from Buraku discrimination, by seeking to improve the understanding of each and every citizen on the need to eliminate Buraku discrimination, in accordance with the principle that all citizens shall be respected as unique individuals who enjoy fundamental human rights on an equal basis.
Article 3
(Responsibilities of State and local governments)
1) In accordance with the basic principle set out in the preceding Article, the State shall be responsible for taking measures concerning the elimination of Buraku discrimination as well as for providing necessary information, guidance and advice for the promotion of such measures by local governments.
2) In accordance with the basic principle set out in the preceding Article, local governments shall seek to take measures, consistent with their local conditions, concerning the elimination of Buraku discrimination on the basis of appropriate division of roles with the State and in collaboration with the State and other local governments.
Article 4
(Consolidation of advisory mechanisms)
1) The State shall take measures to consolidate mechanisms to respond to requests for advice and support concerning Buraku discrimination in appropriate ways.
2) Local governments shall seek to take measures, consistent with their local conditions, to consolidate mechanisms to respond to requests for advice and support concerning Buraku discrimination in appropriate ways, on the basis of appropriate division of roles with the State.
Article 5
(Education and awareness-raising)
1) The State shall conduct necessary education and awareness-raising in order to eliminate Buraku discrimination.
2) Local governments shall seek to conduct necessary education and awareness-raising, consistent with their local conditions, in order to eliminate Buraku discrimination, on the basis of appropriate division of roles with the State.
Article 6
(Surveys on the actual situation of Buraku discrimination)
With a view to contributing to the implementation of the measures concerning the elimination of Buraku discrimination, the State shall conduct surveys on the actual situation of Buraku discrimination in collaboration with local governments.