Photo/Illutration An educational training center to teach occupational skills set up by the Chinese government in the nation’s Xinjiang Uighur autonomous region. International human rights groups suspect that there are human rights abuses in such facilities. The photo was taken in Kashgar city in 2019. (Asahi Shimbun file photo)

The Lower House adopted a resolution condemning human rights abuses, suggesting, in China’s far western Xinjiang Uighur autonomous region and elsewhere at a plenary session on Feb. 1, ahead of the Beijing Winter Olympics.

The resolution expressed that it found concerns over serious human rights abuses being committed in the Uighur region, Tibet, Inner Mongolia and Hong Kong.

Ruling and opposition party members were aiming to adopt it ahead of the Beijing Games, which will start on Feb. 4.

However, the resolution did not include the word “China” out of consideration for Japan-China relations.

It failed to pass unanimously, as the Reiwa Shinsengumi party and some other lawmakers opposed it. 

In addition to expressing concerns, the resolution also demanded that accountability about the serious human rights situations be fulfilled in a form that can be accepted by the international community.

It also urged the Japanese government to implement comprehensive policies to monitor serious human rights abuses and assist people living under such oppressive conditions in cooperation with the international community.

The resolution was compiled primarily by four Diet member leagues.