The Basic Law for a Gender-equal Society was promulgated and enacted in June 1999.
The Basic Law provides five basic principles for the realization of a gender-equal society, and stipulates the roles of the State, local governments and citizens as respective responsibilities.

1. Respect for the Human Rights of Women and Men
   Formation of a Gender-equal Society shall be promoted based on respect for the human rights of women and men, including: respect for the dignity of men and women as individuals; no gender-based discriminatory treatment of women or men; and the securing of opportunities for men and women to exercise their abilities as individuals.
2. Consideration to Social Systems or Practices
   In consideration that social systems or practices can become factors impeding formation of a Gender-equal Society by reflecting the stereotyped division of roles on the basis of gender, etc., thus having a non-neutral effect on the selection of social activities by women and men, care should be taken so that social systems and practices have as neutral an impact as possible on this selection of social activities.
3. Joint Participation in Planning and Deciding Policies, etc.
   Formation of a Gender-equal Society shall be promoted based on securing opportunities for women and men to participate jointly as equal partners in the society in planning and deciding policies of the State or local governments, or policies of private bodies.
4. Compatibility of Activities in Family Life and Other Activities
   Formation of a Gender-equal Society shall be promoted so that women and men can perform their roles smoothly as household members in home-related activities, including child-raising and nursing of family members through mutual cooperation and social support, and can thus perform activities other than these.
5. International Cooperation
   In consideration of the close relationship between internal promotion of formation of a Gender-equal Society and efforts by the international community, formation of a Gender-equal Society shall be promoted based on international cooperation.

• The State is responsible for the comprehensive formulation and implementation of policies related to promotion of formation of a Gender-equal Society (including positive action. The same shall apply hereinafter.) pursuant to the basic principles on formation of a Gender-equal Society prescribed in Articles 3 to 7 (hereinafter referred to as the "basic principles").
• Local governments are responsible for the formulation and implementation of policies related to promotion of formation of a Gender-equal Society corresponding to national measures, and other policies in accordance with the nature of the areas of local governments, pursuant to the basic principles.
• Citizens shall make efforts to contribute to formation of a Gender-equal Society in all areas of society, including workplaces, schools, the local community and the home, pursuant to the basic principles.