CRC Elections - Ms. Mikiko OTANI (Japan)

Submitted by Robin on

Name:
Otani, Mikiko

Country of birth:
Japan

Languages:       
English, Japanese

Current position/function:  

Partner lawyer, Toranomon Law and Economic Offices

Lecturer (part-time), Soka University Graduate School of Law

Chair, Japan Federation of Bar Associations Committee on International Human Rights

Co-representative, Japan NGO Network for CEDAW

Country representative of Japan, Family Law & Family Rights Section of LAWASIA (The Law Association for Asia and the Pacific)             

Main professional activities

2005 - 2006: Alternate Representative of the Delegation of Japan to the 60th and the 61st UN General Assembly

2005 - 2014: Regional Council member of the Asia-Pacific Forum on Women, Law and Development

2009: NGO Representative of the Delegation of Japan to the 53rd UN Commission on the Status of Women

2013 - 2014: Co-Chair of the Women Lawyers’ Interest Group of the International Bar Association

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Why do you want to serve on the CRC?

My involvement in human rights activities and engagement with the UN human rights bodies for many years made me greatly appreciate the importance of treaties bodies and believe that I should be of service to any of treaty bodies if I am offered such opportunity. Children’s rights have always been my special focus. Children often don’t have means to represent themselves and working at the forefront for the children of the world is the primacy. I am confident that as the first candidate from Japan I will be able to bring in new energy and perspective to the Committee.

What do you see as important emerging child rights issues that you believe the Committee should be addressing?

Children’s rights haven’t got and still need high profile attention in the international bodies. Many challenges have been addressed but continue to remain. Cross-border issues such as trafficking, migrant children and cyber exploitation of children require coordinated approach among States and other stakeholders including UN agencies and civil society. Protection of children in the business activities in such areas as child labour, safety of food and production for children is not among ongoing global challenges. Bullying and corporal punishment of children need renewed attention as serious issues harmful to children worldwide.

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