Statement Calling to Include Comprehensive Sexuality Education that is Compliant with the International Technical Guidance on Sexuality Education Upon the Revision of the National Curriculum Standard
On December 25, 2024, the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology requested the Central Council for Education to respond to her consultation regarding the ideal state of the curriculum criteria for primary and secondary education including the National Curriculum Standard. The National Curriculum Standard is set by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology based on the response by the Central Council for Education to consultation requests under the School Education Act. It sets forth the criteria to be used by each school to organize its curriculum to ensure that children can receive a certain level of education regardless of where they live in Japan and undergoes a revision approximately every ten years.
The Japan Federation of Bar Associations (the "JFBA") complied its "Opinion Calling for Conducting "Comprehensive Sexuality Education" and Enacting an Act and Creating a System which Guarantees Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights" dated January 20, 2023 where the JFBA called on the national and local governments to implement "comprehensive sexuality education" at schools that is compliant with the International Technical Guidance on Sexuality Education to resolve various sexuality-related human rights issues. However, the aforementioned consultation by the Minister does not directly mention comprehensive sexuality education.
The International Technical Guidance on Sexuality Education (the "Guidance") is a guide that provides international standards on sexuality education and was prepared in cooperation with organizations such as the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the World Health Organization (WHO). The Guidance outlines the basic challenges and specific practice points on sexuality education based on scientific evidence while giving consideration to research and practice by experts around the world. Comprehensive sexuality education that is provided based on the Guidance aims to guarantee children and young people the right to learn knowledge, skills, attitudes and values regarding sexuality through a comprehensive curriculum that is scientifically accurate, is based on human rights and gender equality concepts, and is appropriate for their age and development.
The implementation of comprehensive sexuality education should not be left solely to the government’s education policies or policy decisions. It concerns the realization of sexual and health rights, children’s right to receive education, the elimination of gender-based discrimination and the achievement of gender equality. Receiving comprehensive sexuality education should be positioned as a human right.
The United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child and the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women have recommended the Japanese government to implement comprehensive sexuality education. In October 2024, the latter Committee issued its concluding observations based on a review on the ninth report submitted by the Japanese government where the Committee repeats its recommendation to the government to implement such education. The introduction of such education should not be postponed any further.
For these reasons, the JFBA calls on the Central Council for Education to include comprehensive sexuality education that is compliant with the International Technical Guidance on Sexuality Education upon the revision of the National Curriculum Standard.
March 10, 2025
Reiko Fuchigami
President, Japan Federation of Bar Associations