1. Background to the formulation of the National Plan of Action

In July 1996 the Council for Gender Equality (established in line with Ordinance on the Council for Gender Equality [June 24,1994 Government Ordinance, No.190] and terminated on 31 March 1997) submitted the "Vision of Gender Equality: Creating New Values for the 21st Century" to the Prime Minister, taking into consideration the various views and opinions of society as well as the outcome of the Fourth World Conference on Women. The Vision presented the direction and process for the realization of a gender-equal society by around 2010, taking into account the possible economic and social changes in Japan. In response, the Japanese government formulated a new National Plan of Action based on the "Vision of Gender Equality: Creating New Values for the 21st Century"and the Beijing Platform for Action by fundamentally revising the previous National Plan of Action. As a result, in December l996 the Headquarters for the Promotion of Gender Equality finalized the "Plan for Gender Equality 2000: National Plan of Action for Promotion of a Gender Equal Society by the Year 2000" (hereinafter referred to as "plan") duly responding to the Beijing Platform for Action ( paragraph 297).

Upon formulation of the plan, efforts were made to take into consideration the viewpoints of various groups and fields of society, referring to 1,100 different opinions and requests presented from various groups and individuals. The plan is constituted with the following 4 basic targets; 1) Building social systems that promote gender equality, 2) Achieving gender equality in the workplace, family, and community, 3) Creating a society where human rights of women are promoted and protected, 4) Contributing to the "Equality, Development and Peace" of the global community, and 11 priority objectives.

Under these four basic targets 11 objectives were prioritized, including the following four new issues: Reviewing social systems and practices and reforming awareness from the perspective of gender equality; eliminating all forms of violence against women; respecting the human rights of women in the media; and supporting life-long health for women. Many of these objectives correspond to the issues raised by the Beijing Platform for Action. The Japanese government is promoting various measures to achieve a gender equal society in accordance with this plan.

Part three details the progress of specific measures implemented since the Fourth World Conference on Women. These include amendments to the Equal Employment Opportunity Law (June, l997), the Child Care Leave Law (June, l995), the Child Welfare Law (June, l997), and the Law Regulating Adult Entertainment Business (May, l998).