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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.

July 7, 2022
Record women, LGBTQ election hopefuls run to shake up Japan politics

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.

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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.

June 28, 2022
33% of candidates in Japan's upper house election are women, highest ever

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.

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May 16, 2022
Japan's Lower House to survey gender equality in Diet

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.

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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.

November 1, 2021
Japan: "Fewer women elected in Lower House poll despite empowerment law"

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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October 28, 2021
‘It is bullying, pure and simple’: being a woman in Japanese politics

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

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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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