Japan Releases Supply Chain Guidance for Human Rights Issues

Japan this week released new guidance on how companies can make sure their supply chains don’t involve human rights violations. The “practical reference materials” include “detailed explanations and examples” of supply chain due diligence steps companies can take to help them identify any potential “negative impacts on human rights,” according to an unofficial translation of an April 4 notice from Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. “Specifically, we provide examples and explanations of items to be included in human rights policies, explanations of steps to identify high-risk areas in the supply chain, and reference materials for them," the agency said.