TOKYO -- Japan's local elections last month brought signs that the nation's male-dominated political scene may be taking gradual steps toward gender equality. A record 21% of candidates for city assemblies were female -- welcome progress for women's rights activists as the country gets set to host the Group of Seven gender equality ministerial in June.
Gender
Japanese women post record election wins in gender equality push
But conservative streak in ruling party, rural areas throws up hurdles to change
Eri Arfiya, 34, of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party was among a record number of female winners in Japan's April elections (Photo by Mayumi Tsumita)
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