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http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/20070328TDY03003.htm
 
Mar. 28, 2007

Japan - Political Gender Equality Takes a Turn / Election Campaigners Call for More Pro-Women's Rights Female Candidates

The Yomiuri Shimbun

Political activities aimed at introducing more women into the nation's political arena are gathering pace in the wake of the official launch of campaigning for the quadrennial nationwide local elections.

This year, many citizens' groups are increasingly questioning not only the number of female candidates, but also the views of such candidates, indicating the nation's gender equality movement may have reached a turning point.

"Although half the people in our society are women, there are very few women participating in politics," said a participant speaking through a public address system as part of the 2007 Women and Politics Campaign held earlier this month on a busy street near Shibuya Station in Tokyo.

Campaigners from the group argue that both sexes must participate equally in legislative assemblies, citing statistics showing that women occupy less than 10 percent of seats in local assemblies, and 40 percent of local assemblies have no female member.

The campaign for gender equality in the political world, organized by local assembly members and various citizens groups, is being held for the third time since starting in 1999. Held every four years in conjunction with the unified local elections, it aims to help as many women win seats in legislative assemblies as possible, with the ultimate goal of raising the percentage of female assembly members to 50 percent.

During the street event, the group for the first time called for the election of "women who will implement policies on gender equality."

"On the premise that raising the number of female assembly members is our basic goal, we want people who are supportive of gender equality," said Setsuko Nishitake, a member of the campaign group.

Midori Teramachi, a member of another nonpartisan group based in Gifu Prefecture, which supports female election candidates by providing lectures on election tactics and holding street events, also stresses the importance of the candidates' political stance.

"We don't support someone just because they're female. Even if there's an increase in the number of female assembly members, there won't be a change in the current political situation, or our lives, if they're people who prioritize the logic of political parties or other organizations," she said.

Such remarks reflect the wide diversity of female politicians, some of whom are not necessarily committed to policies related to gender equality.

The activists believe that female politicians who fall into line with ideas on fixed gender roles, or who disagree with the idea of gender equality, have gradually been gaining ground over the past few years.

Commentator Keiko Higuchi said: "Increasing the number [of female politicians] used to be the priority goal for women, because they have long been a minority in the political arena. But as the number of female assembly members has increased, women have discovered there are people with many different views and ideologies. The goal of raising the number of female politicians has reached a turning point."

"I hope people will give some thought to the meaning behind dispatching women to the political stage during this year's unified local elections, and cast their votes after carefully assessing the candidates' views," Higuchi said.

According to a government survey, in November 2006, the percentage of female politicians in the House of Representatives stood at 9.4, and 14.2 in the House of Councillors. In December 2005, the figure stood at 7.2 percent in prefectural assemblies; 11 percent in municipal and ward assemblies in urbanized areas; and 6.4 percent in municipal assemblies in rural areas .

The government aims to raise the percentage of women in leading positions--including assembly members--to 30 percent by 2020, according to its basic plan for gender equality.

(Mar. 28, 2007)




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