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Harassment of female candidates a growing issue in Japanese politics

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July 7, 2022

Harassment of female candidates a growing issue in Japanese politics

In 2019, Aiko Usui was 28 years old and running for a seat in a ward assembly election in Tokyo. But instead of being treated as an aspiring politician by some of the voters she was canvassing, she instead felt like a pop idol being targeted for abuse.

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In 2019, Aiko Usui was 28 years old and running for a seat in a ward assembly election in Tokyo. But instead of being treated as an aspiring politician by some of the voters she was canvassing, she instead felt like a pop idol being targeted for abuse.

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Record women, LGBTQ election hopefuls run to shake up Japan politics

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Record women, LGBTQ election hopefuls run to shake up Japan politics

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TOKYO - A record number of both women and LGBTQ candidates are campaigning to win over voters in the House of Councillors election on Sunday and potentially bring change to Japan's male-dominated political landscape.

While some advocates have hailed the unprecedented number of female and openly LGBTQ hopefuls, the candidates' policies will be put to the test as surveys have shown that issues such as rising prices and social security will likely be at the forefront of voter concerns.

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TOKYO - A record number of both women and LGBTQ candidates are campaigning to win over voters in the House of Councillors election on Sunday and potentially bring change to Japan's male-dominated political landscape.

While some advocates have hailed the unprecedented number of female and openly LGBTQ hopefuls, the candidates' policies will be put to the test as surveys have shown that issues such as rising prices and social security will likely be at the forefront of voter concerns.

Japan still far from breaking free of male-dominated politics

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July 7, 2022

Japan still far from breaking free of male-dominated politics

It's been four years since the gender parity law was passed in Japan, with an aim of fielding an equal number of female and male candidates in elections. Still, the male-dominated political environment has not changed.

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It's been four years since the gender parity law was passed in Japan, with an aim of fielding an equal number of female and male candidates in elections. Still, the male-dominated political environment has not changed.

World News

33% of candidates in Japan's upper house election are women, highest ever

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33% of candidates in Japan's upper house election are women, highest ever

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TOKYO -- A record 181 of the 545 people standing in Japan's July 10 House of Councillors election are women, comprising 33.2% of all candidates, also a high.

The total of 181 female candidates announced on June 22 was up 77 from the previous upper house contest in 2019. It was the first time for the figure to top the 146 female candidates in the chamber's 1989 election, when the so-called "Madonna boom" led by Takako Doi, then head of the now-defunct Japan Socialist Party, occurred.

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TOKYO -- A record 181 of the 545 people standing in Japan's July 10 House of Councillors election are women, comprising 33.2% of all candidates, also a high.

The total of 181 female candidates announced on June 22 was up 77 from the previous upper house contest in 2019. It was the first time for the figure to top the 146 female candidates in the chamber's 1989 election, when the so-called "Madonna boom" led by Takako Doi, then head of the now-defunct Japan Socialist Party, occurred.

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Japan's Lower House to survey gender equality in Diet

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Japan's Lower House to survey gender equality in Diet

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Japan's Lower House of the Diet plans a questionnaire on women's participation in politics as the country largely lags behind in female representation in national parliaments.

In Japan, female lawmakers account for only 9.7 percent of all those elected in last year's Lower House election.

A survey by the Inter-Parliamentary Union shows that as of April 1, Japan ranked 166th among 188 countries surveyed in terms of the ratios of women in lower or single houses of parliament.

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Japan's Lower House of the Diet plans a questionnaire on women's participation in politics as the country largely lags behind in female representation in national parliaments.

In Japan, female lawmakers account for only 9.7 percent of all those elected in last year's Lower House election.

A survey by the Inter-Parliamentary Union shows that as of April 1, Japan ranked 166th among 188 countries surveyed in terms of the ratios of women in lower or single houses of parliament.

No kiss, no vote: Survey shows female politicians in Japan victims of sexual harassment

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April 4, 2022

No kiss, no vote: Survey shows female politicians in Japan victims of sexual harassment

A survey on politicians in Japan has shown that many former and current female national legislators and local assembly members have been subject to sexual harassment.

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A survey on politicians in Japan has shown that many former and current female national legislators and local assembly members have been subject to sexual harassment.

World News

Japan: "Fewer women elected in Lower House poll despite empowerment law"

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Japan: "Fewer women elected in Lower House poll despite empowerment law"

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In Sunday's general election, 45 women were elected to the 465-seat House of Representatives, down two from the previous contest in 2017, despite a law promoting female participation in the political field, data showed Monday.

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In Sunday's general election, 45 women were elected to the 465-seat House of Representatives, down two from the previous contest in 2017, despite a law promoting female participation in the political field, data showed Monday.

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‘It is bullying, pure and simple’: being a woman in Japanese politics

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‘It is bullying, pure and simple’: being a woman in Japanese politics

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Harassment is common for women who run for office and female MPs comprise just 9.9% of lower house.

Mari Yasuda has come to dread checking her social media accounts. While a TV programme has tipped the candidate as “one to watch” in Japan’s general election this month, her anonymous correspondents make no secret of their belief that, as a woman, she should not be standing for parliament at all.

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Harassment is common for women who run for office and female MPs comprise just 9.9% of lower house.

Mari Yasuda has come to dread checking her social media accounts. While a TV programme has tipped the candidate as “one to watch” in Japan’s general election this month, her anonymous correspondents make no secret of their belief that, as a woman, she should not be standing for parliament at all.

Japan’s election unlikely to bring more representation for women

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October 28, 2021

Japan’s election unlikely to bring more representation for women

Less than a fifth of candidates in Japan’s upcoming election are female, unchanged from the last vote four years ago, indicating the percentage of women in one of the world’s most male-dominated parliaments is unlikely to increase.

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Less than a fifth of candidates in Japan’s upcoming election are female, unchanged from the last vote four years ago, indicating the percentage of women in one of the world’s most male-dominated parliaments is unlikely to increase.

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