The Present Status of Gender Equality and Measures

  1. Women's participation in local policy decision-making processes

    Ratio of women members on Councils, etc., shows wide disparities among prefectures
    There has been an overall increase in the ratio of women on Councils, etc., established under Article 202.3 of the Local Autonomy Law, and Committees, etc., established under Article 180.5 of the same law. However, there are major disparities among prefectures, with high representation in areas such as Okinawa Prefecture (24.8% representation on Councils, etc., and 15.6% representation on Committees, etc., as of 31 March 1998) and representation of less than 10% in others. (Figure 3)

    Figure 3
    (1) Ratio of women members on councils, etc. (by prefecture)

    Ratio of women members on councils, etc. (by prefecture)

    (2) Ratio of women members on committees, etc. (by prefecture)
    Ratio of women members on committees, etc. (by prefecture)

    Notes:

    "Councils, etc." refers to those based on Article 202.3.4 of the Local Autonomy Law, while "Committees, etc." refers to those based on Article 180.5 of the same law.

    Source:

    Prime Minister's Office

    Women in local public service
    35.1% of public service personnel in local public organizations across the country are women, with this figure on the rise. (As of 1 April 1993.)

    There are prefectural disparities in the percentage of women in managerial positions (director-level or above). (Figure 4)

    Figure 4: Ratio of women in managerial positions in local public service (by prefecture)
    Figure 4: Ratio of women in managerial positions in local public service (by prefecture)

    Notes:

    1. "Managerial positions" refers to managerial positions in prefectural and government offices (equivalent to director-level or above in prefectural offices).
    2. While the base date for the survey was 31 March 1998, this is not always consistent due to prefectural circumstances.

    Source:

    Prime Minister's Office