1951　“Children's Charter” enacted

Even after the enactment of the Child Welfare Act in 1947, in the socially and economically difficult environment following the defeat in World War II, there was a series of incidents that violated the rights of children, and the prewar values that regarded children as subordinate to their parents remained. Therefore, it was necessary to make the idea of child welfare known to society in order to protect children. Therefore, the “Children's Charter” was enacted on May 5, 1951 (Children's Day) by the Council for Enactment of the Children's Charter, presided over by the Prime Minister of Japan. The conference was composed of representatives from all sections of the public and from all walks of life, and the discussions that led to the enactment of the Charter lasted for more than two years. Although the Declaration is not a law and therefore not legally binding, it plays a historically important role in protecting the rights of children.

The Charter also consists of a Preamble, a General Provision that lays down three principles on which the text is based, and a Text of 12 articles. The Preamble clearly states that the purpose of the Charter is to establish a correct conception of children and to promote the well-being of all children, based on the spirit of the Constitution. The three principles stated in the General Provisions: “The child shall be respected as a human being. The child is respected as a member of society.” The child is nurtured in a good environment.” are said to be universal principles necessary for the sound upbringing of children. The article defines the human rights guaranteed to children based on the Constitution.