Japan was actively involved in the process to develop a Political Declaration on the use of explosive weapons in populated areas, and was among the first group of states to endorse the Political Declaration in Dublin in November 2022. During the consultations Japan expressed its concern with the indiscriminate use of explosive weapons in densely populated areas and said the reverberating effects of use of explosive weapons in populated areas are detrimental from a humanitarian perspective.1 Japan also repeatedly referenced the importance of International Humanitarian Law (IHL); arguing that what was needed is full implementation of existing IHL and the compliance of non-state actors.2 Japan also argued that explosive weapons can be used in full compliance with international and national laws and regulations, and that care must be taken to avoid stigmatising explosive weapons, so long as they are used in compliance with international norms.3
During the final consultation in June 2022, Japan reaffirmed the need for compliance with IHL in order to strengthen the protection of civilians in armed conflict. It said that the final draft was well balanced by pointing out that use of explosive weapons is not itself subject to prohibition, while confirming the obligation under IHL and stating the importance of compliance with such obligations.4 At the signing ceremony of the Declaration in November 2022 in Dublin, Japan said that the Declaration will promote practical and realistic measures to protect civilians. Japan also said that together with other states, international organisations, and civil society, it will continue to contribute to international efforts to mitigate harm to civilians5.
Japan attended the first international follow-up conference on the Political Declaration in Oslo, Norway in April 2024.
Statements and positions
At the first international follow-up conference on the Political Declaration Japan stated that the Political Declaration “is about reconfirming the principles of IHL and to promote practical and concrete measures on those principles for the protection of civilians in armed conflict.” It called on all to act in compliance with international humanitarian law “through the implementation of the Political Declaration, ensuring humanitarian assistance, and providing international assistance after conflict.”6
Japan has several times spoken on explosive weapons in populated areas in multilateral forums. In 2014, Japan condemned the use of explosive weapons in populated areas during the UN Security Council open debate on the protection of civilians in armed conflict, calling on the Security Council to address the use of explosive weapons in populated areas by seriously taking into account testimony from affected areas.7 Japan delivered a similar statement during the June 2012 Security Council Open Debate on the Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflict, expressing its concern at the grave humanitarian impact of the use of explosive weapons in populated areas.8
Alongside its individual statements, Japan has repeatedly aligned with other states to deliver statements on explosive weapons in populated areas. In recent years, as a member of the Group of Friends on Protection of Civilians, Japan has supported statements at the UN Security Council stressing the importance of respecting IHL and the need to enhance the protection of civilians9. At the UN Security Council Open Debate on the Protection of Civilians on 25 May 2022, the Group of Friends of the Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflict (of which Japan is a member) stressed the importance of respecting IHL and the need to enhance the protection of civilians, including from the humanitarian impacts that could arise when explosive weapons are used in populated areas. It also took note of the ongoing consultations led by Ireland.10 The Group has also positively noted the adoption of the Political Declaration.11 At the same debate in 2024, the Group highlighted the harm caused by explosive weapons in populated areas across ongoing conflicts, and stressed that “the effective protection of civilians and civilian objects must be made a strategic priority in the planning and conduct of military operations.” To that end, the Political Declaration was identified as providing “practical tools that ensure that protection is real and effective.”12 At the 2022 UN Security Council Open Debate on war in cities, the Group of Friends called on states to enhance the protection of civilians, including from the use of explosive weapons in populated areas, and took note of the ongoing consultations to develop a Political Declaration on this subject.13
Implementation of the Political Declaration
In February 2024, INEW and EWM conducted a state survey into endorser states' national efforts to disseminate and implement the Political Declaration. In the survey, Japan reported that it had disseminated the Political Declaration. Japan reported that the Conventional Arms Division, of the Disarmament, Non-Proliferation and Science Department within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is the agency responsible for the Political Declaration. However, it has not designated a point person responsible for the implementation of the Declaration14.
To a question about whether the government or its armed forces had conducted briefings, workshops or trainings on the content of the Declaration and plans for its domestic implementation, Japan responded in the affirmative. Expanding on this, Japan stated that it “provides education at Officer Candidate School, Command and Staff College, technical schools and Japan Self - Defense Force units regarding various activities in compliance with the International Humanitarian Law during PKOs and emergency response”15.
Japan stated that it “does not believe that there is a need to review existing laws and regulations to meet the commitments under the Declaration”. It stated that it has taken “appropriate measures to protect civilians in armed conflict, including the development of laws and regulations as well as conducting training to ensure the prompt evacuation of residents well in advance of an armed attack, and there has been no change to the Government of Japan's stance that it will comply with existing international humanitarian law during an armed conflict.” Upon a question to cite specific policies, practices, laws or doctrines that the government had determined could help implement the Declaration, Japan identified its Civil Protection Law, which was enforced in 2004 and “stipulates civilian protection, although this is not limited to explosive weapons in populated areas and was not enacted in response to the Political Declaration"16.
To view all of Japan’s responses to the INEW and EWM state survey, and other states’ responses, see the Explosive Weapons Monitor 2023, Chapter III on Universalisation and Implementation of the Political Declaration.