In 1997 the International Organization for Migration published a report outlining the problem of women trafficked to Japan. Human Rights Watch published a major report in 2000 which highlighted trafficking issues in Japan. Then in 2003 the US Department of State Annual Trafficking in Persons Report raised the profile of the issue yet further when it stated that “the Government of Japan does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking”. Their 2004 report was similarly critical of Japan and repeated its ranking of the country amongst those on its Tier 2 “watch list”. With recent revisions to the 2004 ICRRA and proposals to amend the Penal Code the Japanese government has signalled a willingness to start addressing the issue.