A clause requiring efforts to respect human rights will be included in the bidding instructions and contracts used when the government purchases products and services from businesses, it has been decided.
The decision was made Monday at a meeting of government entities related to public works projects and government procurement. The aim is to exclude, in cooperation with the United States and European nations, organizations and parties that are involved in human rights violations in the international supply chain, with an eye on suspected forced labor in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region in China.
Gen Nakatani, special advisor to the prime minister for international human rights issues, said at the meeting, "I expect this measure to further enhance efforts by both the public and private sectors to respect human rights."
