Japan Drops Effort to Create Human Rights Sanctions Legislation

Although Japan was considering creating a human rights sanctions regime, it has abandoned the effort for the “time being,” according to a Nov. 16 report from The Mainichi, a Japanese newspaper. The country is hoping to “keep its diplomatic options open” with China, the report said, which would likely require sanctions under the legislation for China's abuses against religious minorities in the Xinjiang region. Japan will consider using existing legislation, including its foreign exchange and foreign trade law, to impose penalties and asset freezes for human rights violations, the report said.