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Second International Women’s Day (IWD) Diet Event
Gender Equality and Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights

Wednesday, March 16th

Background

On 31 March 2021, the Delegation of the EU to Japan hosted a seminar on gender equality and the young generation, with Ambassadors, Japanese Diet members and youth representatives at the occasion of the International Women’s Day. Sexual education, reproductive health and rights, and sexual violence were key topics highlighted throughout the seminar.

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Building on this positive engagement and outcomes, and taking account of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) issues in Japan, the Delegation of the EU to Japan will organise with JOICFP (Japanese Organisation for International Cooperation in Family Planning) a second seminar with a focus on issues related to Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), which gathers strong attention from the youth. The event will provide a platform for youth, existing SRHR organisations, Diet members and Ambassadors to discuss gender equality and SRHR, aiming to gather momentum to promote SRHR in Japan.

Event outline

  • Date: Wednesday, March 16th, 16.00 - 18-00 JST (Japan) / 8.00 - 10.00 CET (Europe)

  • Venue: International Conference Room, Diet Building (First Members’ Building of the House of Representatives)

  • Format: Hybrid of online and in-person

  • Interpretation: Simultaneous (English - Japanese)

  • Participants: Diet Members, Ambassadors,  experts, scholars, civil society organizations, and youth. Online participation by the general public.

  • Co-organized by: The Delegation of the EU to Japan & JOICFP (Japanese Organization for International Cooperation in Family Planning)

  • Agenda:

    • Start of the event ​

      • Ms. Ayano Sakurai, Representative, #What does Gender Equality mean to you? (Danjo Kyodo Sankakutte Nandesuka)

      • Mr. Masaya Takahashi, Secretary-General, Japan Youth Platform for Sustainability (JYPS)

    • ​Opening Remarks

      • H.E. Dr Patricia Flor, Ambassador of the European Union to Japan 

    • Speech by the Guest of Honor​

      • Ms. Takako Suzuki, State Minister for Foreign Affairs

    •  Scene Setting: SRHR Situation in Japan from the Perspective of the World

      • Ms. Yoko Hayashi, Attorney at Law, Former Chairperson of Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW)

    •  Talk Relay

      • Ms. Mizuki Yazawa, Secretariat, Citizen’s Project for Pharmacy access to Emergency Contraception

      • Mr. Kensei Yamaguchi, SRHR Youth Alliance (SRHR issues for men and boys)

      • Mr. Yuichi Kamiya, Executive Director, Japan Alliance for LGBT Legislation

      • Mr. Tomoyuki Okude, Spring (Sexual Violence)

      • Ms. Mamiko Iwasaki, SOSHIREN (Women’s Network for Reproductive Freedom)

      • Ms. Momoka Inari, SRHR Youth Alliance (Comprehensive Sexuality Education)

    • Speeches by Ambassadors

      • H.E. Ms. Inga M. W. NYHAMAR, Ambassador of Norway to Japan

      • H.E. Mr. Raul Alberto Florentin Antola Ambassador of the Republic of Paraguay to Japan

      • H.E. Mr. Philippe Setton, Ambassador of France to Japan

      • H.E. Ms. ALEKSANDRA KOVAÄŒ, Ambassador of Serbia to Japan

      • H.E. Mr. Rachad Bouhlal, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco to Japan

      • H.E. Mr. Paul Kavanagh, Ambassador of Ireland to Japan

    • ​Speeches by Diet Members​

      • Ms. Rui Matsukawa, MP, Deputy Director-General, International Bureau, Deputy Director-General, Women’s Affairs Division, Acting Director of National Defense Division, Liberal Democratic Party of Japan, Former Parliamentary Secretary for Defense

      • Mr. Kentaro Gemma, MP, Director, International Department, Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan

      • Mr. Masaaki Taniai, MP, Chair, International Affairs Committee, Komeito

      • Ms. Kaori Takagi, MP, Interim Director-General of the Diet Members’ Group, Director,   Diversity Bureau, Japan Innovation Party

      • Mr. Motohisa Furukawa, MP, Director-General, International Bureau, Democratic Party for the People)

      • Ms. Tomoko Tamura, MP, Vice Chairperson of the Executive Committee, Policy Commission Chair, Japanese Communist Party

    •  Discussion

    •  Closing Remarks

      • Ms. Toshiko Abe, MP, Former Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Houser of Representatives

      • Ms. Sumie Ishii, Chairperson, JOICFP

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