Women in Japan Today 2003

Enactment of the Basic Law for a Gender-equal Society in 1999 and formulation of the Basic Plan for Gender Equality in 2000 have contributed significantly to advancing measures toward the formation of a gender-equal society in Japan. Moreover, Japan's national machinery was markedly strengthened by the establishment of a Council for Gender Equality and a Gender Equality Bureau within the Cabinet Office in 2001.

The Council for Gender Equality is currently deliberating measures to support women's various challenges, towards building a society in which both women and men are able to fully display their own ideas and abilities at all levels and in all fields.

Japan has also made efforts to address the issue of violence against women, and the Law for the Prevention of Spousal Violence and the Protection of Victims went into force in full in April 2002. In compliance with this law, more than one hundred Spousal Violence Counseling and Support Centers have been established throughout Japan and providing counseling and temporary shelter for victims.

In addition to these domestic measures, Japan has been actively engaging in international cooperation as a member of the global community. For instance, in May 2002, Japan compiled a concrete proposal to support women in Afghanistan in a number of important fields, including political and institutional frameworks, education and health care. Subsequently, Japan has sent experts in such fields to Afghanistan, and conducted training courses for teachers here in Japan.

Japan will make continued efforts to promote gender equality whilst deepening its cooperation with the global community.

Yasuo Fukuda
Chief Cabinet Secretary and Minister for Gender Equality,Yasuo Fukuda