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Female MPs push for expanded restroom facilities
Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has joined approximately 60 female lawmakers in calling for additional women's toilets inside the national parliament building, citing the growing number of women elected to office.
Record female representation highlights infrastructure gap
A historic 73 women now serve in the 465-seat Lower House following October 2024 elections, surpassing the previous record of 54 set in 2009. Despite this progress, lawmakers report persistent overcrowding in existing facilities.
Opposition MP Yasuko Komiyama described frequent "long queues in front of the restroom" before plenary sessions, noting that some colleagues have skipped bathroom breaks entirely to avoid delays.
Current facilities fall short of demand
The parliament building, constructed in 1936, contains only nine women's toilets with a combined 22 cubicles. Near the plenary chamber, just one toilet with two stalls serves female lawmakers, staff, and visitors. In contrast, the building offers 12 men's toilets with 67 stalls and urinals.
Komiyama, a member of the Constitutional Democratic Party, called the situation "often inconvenient" and emphasized the need to prepare for future increases in female representation. She shared her concerns in a Facebook post, writing, "I want to raise my voice and prepare myself for the day when women hold more than 30% of parliamentary seats."
Historical context and government response
The parliament building predates women's suffrage in Japan, which was granted in 1945. The first female lawmakers took office in 1946. Spanning 13,356 square meters (143,800 sq ft), the structure's design reflects an era when women held no political power.
Yasukazu Hamada, chair of the Lower House committee, has indicated a willingness to review the proposal, according to a report by Asahi Shimbun. Komiyama expressed hope that the administration would support the initiative, stating, "If the administration is serious about promoting women's empowerment, I believe we can count on their understanding and cooperation."
Broader challenges in gender representation
Japan's government initially set a 2020 target for women to occupy 30% of leadership roles across society, but the deadline was quietly extended by a decade. Currently, women hold nearly 16% of Lower House seats and 33.6% of Upper House seats (42 out of 125).
Prime Minister Takaichi, who became Japan's first female leader in October 2024, had pledged to elevate female representation in her cabinet to levels seen in Nordic countries. However, her 19-member cabinet includes only two other women.
The shortage of women's restrooms extends beyond parliament. Long lines at public facilities remain a common issue nationwide. Former Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba previously acknowledged the problem, stating his government would explore "enhancing women's restroom facilities" to create a society where "women can live their lives with peace of mind."
