About us

Reiko Fuchigami

Reiko Fuchigami, President of the JFBA

This past winter has seen numerous extreme weather events across Japan. A cold front lingered over the country for an extended period of time, causing heavy snowfalls mainly in Hokkaido and along the Sea of Japan coast. In contrast, regions along the Pacific Ocean coast experienced many sunny and dry days, leading to large-scale forest fires. After a long and arduous winter, the cherry blossom season finally has begun, and I see news reports of cherry blossoms blooming in various sites throughout the country. I hope that signs of spring have begun to emerge in your area as well.

Global Warming and Climate Change

Climate change driven by global warming has become increasingly apparent, with last summer bringing extreme heat and sudden torrential rains across the country. This past winter, heavy snowfalls were triggered by moisture-laden clouds from the sea, a consequence of persistently high sea surface temperatures. Unprecedented climate change-related disasters, such as larger tropical storms as well as large-scale droughts caused by relentless heat waves, are occurring one after another around the world.

Climate change is driven by the rampant development of civilization that has continued since the Industrial Revolution in the 18th century, fueled by the extensive combustion of fossil fuels and the resulting colossal greenhouse gas emissions. With the serious effects brought about by climate change, we have now reached a point in time where climate change is a serious threat to the future of human survival. The JFBA has consistently emphasized that environmental issues are fundamentally human rights issues, and has advocated for the creation of a decarbonized society. The JFBA adopted the "Resolution to Achieve the Conservation of the Global Environment and the Sustainable Development of Local Communities by Choosing Renewable Energy as a Means to Protect Human Rights" at its Convention on the Protection of Human Rights, held last October in Nagoya.

It is necessary for not only Japan but the rest of the world to join forces and advance towards decarbonization in response to what must be recognized as a global climate crisis. Unfortunately, however, the current global situation does not always permit countries to collectively address climate change, which is extremely concerning. While the JFBA’s role in combating climate change may be modest, we are committed to continuing our activities with the aim of creating a decarbonized society on a global scale for current and future generations.

Issues Related to Social Media

Several social media companies have announced the cessation of fact-checking on information posted to their platforms. While social media has become an indispensable communication tool, it also poses significant social issues, such as the proliferation of fake news, copyright-infringing and defamatory posts, and various online scams. Moreover, these platforms often serve as entry points for crimes committed by anonymous and fluid groups known as "Tokuryu." Beyond facilitating criminal activity, social media is contributing to the distortion of democracy, and enabling widespread human rights violations, including disinformation and defamation. To address the current situation, I belive it is crucial for the JFBA to carefully examine, from the standpoint of protecting human rights, the impact on the real world of a system that allows information to be spread without fact-checking, and whether it will cause further social issues.

Society with Respect for Diversity

The JFBA has been actively engaged in human rights advocacy activities to eliminate discrimination based on characteristics including race, faith, gender, social status and family origin , aiming to realize a society with respect for diversity. However, some countries promotes policies that encourage discrimination and disregard human rights, such as limiting gender recognition to only male and female or imposing bans on abortions. Such policies could lead to undermining people’s respect for fundamental human rights that we have been cultivating for a long time throughout our history.

Discretionary Separate-Surname Retention System

Since the beginning of the year, many media outlets have been covering the pros and cons of introducing a discretionary separate-surname retention system for married couples, which is one of the initiatives worked on by the JFBA. One argument against the introduction of such system is that married couples having the same surname is a culture unique to Japan. However, the current system that forces married couples to have the same surname by law was only formalized during the Meiji era. A discretionary separate-surname retention system would grant individuals the choice to retain their surnames, rather than being compelled to change them upon marriage. People’s surnames should be protected as they represent each person’s personality.

The JFBA will do its best to help introduce a discretionary separate-surname retention system in the country and realize a society where the human rights of all people are respected.

There are many other important issues that we face today, and I, together with the vice presidents, directors, secretary-general, deputy secretary-generals and other staff at the JFBA, will continue to work hard toward tackling these issues. I sincerely appreciate your continued interest in and support for the JFBA’s activities.

April 1, 2025

Reiko Fuchigami

President, Japan Federation of Bar Associations