Toward the Creation of a Culture of Human Rights

Kyoto Human Rights Research Institute was founded in Kyoto in 1994 as one of the projects to commemorate the 1200th anniversary of the establishment of the Heian Capital. Although Kyoto's history and culture were deeply related to the creation of a human rights culture, the commemorative projects for the 1,100th anniversary of the founding of the Heian Capital in the Meiji era (1868-1912) unfortunately failed to recognize human rights issues to the fullest extent. Kyoto Human Rights Research Institute was established in response to this challenge. The Center's research and study activities to date have earned it a high reputation both domestically and internationally as a valuable research organization for the study of human rights issues not only in Japan but also in Asia.

In 2024, we will celebrate the 30th anniversary of the start of Kyoto Human Rights Research Institute as a general foundation approved by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) in 1994. In the meantime, in 2012, the Center became a public interest incorporated foundation approved by the Prime Minister of Japan, and currently has more than 100 researchers who are conducting research on timely themes.

The results of joint and individual research are compiled in the “Annual Report” and “Research Bulletin,” and are also reflected in courses such as the “Human Rights University Lecture Series” hosted by the Center, the quarterly magazine “GLOBE,” and expert commentary, in an effort to provide easy-to-understand information to prefectural residents and citizens. The Center also provides information to the public through its quarterly magazine, GLOBE, as well as through expert commentary.

In October 2023, Kyoto Human Rights Research Institute moved to the new campus of Kyoto City University of Arts to become a center for learning and exchanges on human rights among citizens of Kyoto Prefecture, as well as to develop new approaches to diversified human rights issues. By relocating to the Sohnin area where the new Kyoto City University of Arts campus is located, the Center, in conjunction with the relocation of the Agency for Cultural Affairs to Kyoto, will play a role as a center for human rights, creating a sustainable, diverse, inclusive, and attractive future for Kyoto by integrating culture and art with human rights-based urban development, and promoting exchange and communication both in Japan and abroad.

The 21st century is said to be the century of human rights, but we cannot build the 21st century as the century of human rights unless each of us cultivates practical skills to solve human rights issues through steady research on human rights issues. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948) states that “the recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of human society forms the basis of freedom, justice and peace in the world” (Preamble) and that the guarantee of human rights is the foundation of peace.

Kyoto Human Rights Research Institute will continue to contribute to the realization of a multicultural society in which all people can overcome various difficulties, respect each other's dignity and rights as human beings, and live in pursuit of happiness in a way that “leaves no one behind”.

April 2024