4. Japan's vision for equality and the advancement of women in the new millennium

As has been described above, a basic law, that will become the framework for a gender-equal society, is currently being deliberated on in the Diet. Japan intends to markedly strengthen its national machinery by January 2001. These measures aim at achieving of a gender-equal society whilst mainstreaming the advancement of women.
A gender-equal society refers to a society in which both women and men shall be given equal opportunities to participate voluntarily in activities in all fields as equal partners and shall be able to enjoy political, economic, social and cultural benefits as well as take responsibilities equally. The goal of a gender-equal society is to realize the ideologies of respect for individuals and equality between women and men contained in the Constitution of Japan and to build an affluent and vigorous society for the future by women and men developing their individuality in accordance with their own will, regardless of sex, and participating as equal partners in all fields of society.
Endeavors towards gender equality should be made throughout time, but its goals have yet to be realized. As we approach the new millennium, we must endeavor to realize a gender-equal society as proof of mankind's advancement.