Tokyo - where experiences of running private and public sector grievance mechanism's are shared.

Before Christmas arrives to Seoul, I decided to "jump" to Tokyo and pay it a visit - which I should have done it long ago -, but the very important objective was to meet human rights lawyers who I knew had set up a new private sector grievance mechanism.

A couple of years ago, in Seoul, thanks to an introduction made by our friends from Accountability Counsel, I had the pleasure to meet Changho Kim (Kim Sensei). Changho is a half Korean, half Japanese, Human Rights lawyer who, at the time of our first encounter was working in Seoul for Open Society Foundation. Since that first introduction we went several times for lunch - Changho was always very good at suggesting local Asian food restaurants in Seoul, and now again in Tokyo.

As it happens, the world is smaller than we think. One day, talking about grievance mechanisms and the need for the private sector to start embracing this form of accountability - something that thanks to recent legislation will no longer be an option for a number of European and US companies -, I mentioned a Japanese initiative that I had found coincidentally. This initiative is called JACER, which stands for The Japanese Center for Engagement and Remedy on Business and Human Rights.

Changho, who has access to vast networks of Human Rights lawyers in different countries, quickly offered to introduce me to this courageous Japanese colleagues who had decided to launch - and have done it successfully so far - this groundbreaking initiative.

Two days ago, I had the pleasure of meeting JACER during a wonderful and delicious lunch in the heart of Tokyo.

Meeting with the executives of JACER was a thrilling experience. Those, like me, who have worked for several years for the public sector international grievance mechanisms are well aware of the challenges these mechanisms face at times, but we also know that, at least those at the international level, can rely on an now mature community of practice. A community with sufficient accumulated knowledge that often becomes very handy when one needs to request support and advice from peers.

Pioneer initiatives like JACER, can only be observed from a place of respect and admiration, in particular, because Japan, unlike Europe and the US, has not yet legislated - as far I know - on the need for private corporations to set up grievance mechanisms, and such legal vacuum makes this initiative even more commendable.

One of the main takeaways after JACER directors was that, it is urgent to create, or to further develop spaces where these and other similar initiatives can foster relationships with peers. Sailing solo in unknown waters can certainly feel lonely at times.

Given the eligibility criteria for membership in the international accountability GRM network, new spaces have been created to meet the demand for peer learning and support. However, these new spaces are still young and still need to prove they can deliver sufficient value to its members. The way I see it, one of the risks of such new spaces is having a too broad definition of membership. One could question whether it is efficient to bring together private and public sector to the same communities of practice, or if highly sophisticated and well resourced mechanisms will be able to agree on what they would like to have conversations about.

It is clear that there will be always topics of interest for any GRM, but at the same time, there are essential differences between public and private sector grievance mechanisms - for instance, the very critical aspect of securing funding, their different points of leverage for greater accountability, etc.

Any successful community of practice has to meet the needs of its audience, otherwise it risks becoming irrelevant.

After the lunch with these colleagues I had the pleasure of visiting the Japanese Bar Association. After the visit I kept wondering if it is now necessary for these new communities of practice to narrow the focus by launching sections or committees, because, similarly to a Bar association, while everyone is a lawyer, not every lawyer is interested in the same matters.

For now, I want to again express my gratitude and admiration for our colleagues from JACER and to my friend Changho Kim - Kim Sensei -.

Keep the good work colleagues. You have done the most difficult part now.