Opinion Calling for Legislating the Right to a Healthy Environment as a Human Right to Achieve a Sustainable Society
June 20, 2025
Japan Federation of Bar Associations
The Japan Federation of Bar Associations (the "JFBA") compiled its "Opinion Calling for Legislating the Right to a Healthy Environment as a Human Right to Achieve a Sustainable Society" dated June 20, 2025, and submitted it on June 24, 2025 to: the Minister of the Environment; the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries; the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry; the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism; the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry; the Director-General of the Agency for Natural Resources and Energy; and the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Japan.
Summary of Opinion
The JFBA calls on the government to carry out the following in order to achieve a sustainable society.
1. Add a provision to the Basic Act on the Environment explicitly recognizing that everyone has the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment (the right to a healthy environment) as a human right, as stated in a resolution adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on July 28, 2022.
2. Review relevant laws in accordance with the content of the new provision in item 1 above and establish a law guaranteeing the right of people to participate in the decision-making process for related policies, measures and individual programs and their right to access information on the environment and ensure access to justice.