Japan's parliament building was built in 1936. Nine years later, women in Japan were granted the right to vote.
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More than 58 female lawmakers, including Japanese Prime Minister Sana Takaichi, have submitted a memorandum demanding an increase in the number of women's restrooms in the parliament building.
They submitted a memorandum to Yasukazu Hamada, chairman of the lower house's Rules and Administration Committee. The Japanese daily Asahi Shimbun reported that Hamada was positive about the demand. 73 women were elected to the 465-seat lower house in the October 2024 election. This is the highest number ever. The previous record was set in the 2009 election, when 54 were elected. Opposition lawmaker Yasuko Komiyama said that there are often long lines at the toilets before the start of a parliamentary session. There is a toilet with two compartments near the parliament's meeting room.
There are nine toilets with 22 compartments in the entire parliament building. While there are 67 stalls and 12 toilets with urinals for men, local media reported.
As the number of women in parliament continues to increase, lawmakers are demanding that the number of toilets be increased.
Japan's parliament building was built in 1936. Nine years later, women were granted the right to vote in Japan. Women were appointed to the Japanese parliament for the first time in 1946.
Japan's goal was to have at least 30 percent of women in leadership roles in all walks of life by 2020. But after failing to meet this goal, it was pushed back to the next decade.
Japan's lower house now accounts for about 16 percent of women. Similarly, 42 of the 125 seats in the upper house are held by women.
Last October, Sana Takaiji became Japan's first female prime minister. She promised to include women in her cabinet, on par with the Nordic countries.
The Nordic countries are far ahead in terms of women's representation. However, her promises and actions do not match. There are only two women in Japan's 19-member cabinet.
