It is important that local governments, the administrative organs most directly involved in citizens' lives, promote measures in compliance with specific characteristics of local community toward the realization of a gender-equal society. Moreover, it is essential that measures for gender equality are promoted widely, in all sectors and at all levels of society. In cooperation with local public bodies, NGOs and other concerned organizations, a variety of measures are promoted to achieve this.

• Liaison Conference for the Promotion of Gender Equality (Egalite Network)
  

  The Liaison Conference for the Promotion of Gender Equality (Egalite Network), comprising intellectuals from all levels and sectors of society, was established to promote information and opinion exchange between all sectors and levels of society, other forms of cooperation, and national measures toward the formation of a gender-equal society. The Network provides information and exchanges opinions on national measures and international trends with NGOs and a wide range of other organizations, and engages in other activities toward the realization of a gender-equal society.

• National Conference on the Creation of a Gender-equal Society
  

  Given the date of promulgation and enforcement of the Basic Law for a Gender-equal Society, the week June 23-29 has been designated Gender Equality Week, and a National Conference on the Creation of a Gender-equal Society was held during this period. The conference aimed to deepen understanding of the purpose and principles of the Basic Law for a Gender-equal Society and stir up a movement in all sectors and levels of society to undertake various measures toward the realization of a gender-equal society.

• Gender Equality Forum
  

  Gender equality forums were held in six locations nationwide during FY2003, and each of these were attended by several hundred individuals, including local citizens, representatives of private organizations and government officers. Each forum comprised a report by the Headquarters for the Promotion of Gender Equality, keynote lectures by intellectuals, and sub-sessions on themes pertinent to the content of important targets identified in the Basic Plan for Gender Equality.

• Programs Encouraging Gender Equality Declaration Cities and a Summit Meeting of Gender Equality Declaration Cities
  

  Sixty-five municipalities held programs encouraging Gender Equality Declaration Cities by the end of December 2003, and declared to become Gender Equality Declaration Cities. These cities have conducted a variety of measures to publicize and enlighten citizens about gender equality, and to promote the appointment of women to advisory councils and committees. Furthermore, the Summit Meeting of Gender Equality Declaration Cities was held in Niihama City, Ehime, in October 2003, and another in Fukui City, Fukui, in November 2003, with the aim of deepening cooperation between these cities.