Japan's Female Lawmakers Petition for More Women's Toilets in Diet Building Amid Rising Representation
Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is among about 60 female lawmakers petitioning for an increase in women's toilets within the Diet building to accommodate the growing number of female parliamentarians.
In October 2024, a record 73 women were elected to the 465-seat Lower House, up from 54 in 2009, highlighting a significant rise in female representation.
Currently, the Diet building has limited female restroom facilities: only one female toilet with two cubicles near the plenary chamber. Overall, the building contains nine female toilets with 22 cubicles, while there are 12 men's toilets with 67 stalls.
Opposition lawmaker Yasuko Komiyama pointed out the long queues experienced by women before plenary sessions and noted that women often have to share facilities with staff and visitors. She emphasized that the proposal aims to prepare for a future where women hold at least 30% of parliamentary seats.
Yasukazu Hamada, Chair of the Lower House committee, expressed willingness to consider expanding women's toilets in the building.
The government had previously targeted achieving 30% of leadership roles held by women by 2020, but this timeframe has been pushed back by a decade. Currently, women hold about 16% of Lower House seats and 42 of 125 seats in the Upper House. Prime Minister Takaichi's cabinet includes only two women among 19 members.
