Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is among some 60 female lawmakers petitioning for more women's toilets in the parliament building to match their growing representation in the legislature.
A record 73 women were elected into the 465-seat Lower House in October 2024, exceeding the previous high of 54 in 2009.
One opposition lawmaker, Yasuko Komiyama, noted that there are often long queues in front of the restroom... before plenary sessions start, with some MPs feeling they have given up on using the facilities due to crowded conditions.
Currently, there is only one female toilet with two cubicles near the plenary chamber, while the entire parliament building accommodates nine female toilets with a total of 22 cubicles, compared to 12 men's toilets featuring 67 stalls and urinals.
This shortage has been termed often inconvenient as female staff and visitors share facilities as well. Komiyama expressed her desire for the parliament to adapt to a future where women might hold over 30% of parliamentary seats.
Built in 1936, the parliament building predates women's suffrage, which was granted in 1945. The inadequate facilities have sparked a call to action, with Komiyama urging the government to promote women’s empowerment through practical measures. The chair of the Lower House committee has shown a willingness to consider expanding women's restroom facilities.
Despite government ambitions for achieving 30% women's representation in leadership roles by 2020, the target was quietly postponed. Currently, women's representation stands at nearly 16% in the Lower House and around a one-third presence in the Upper House.
Prime Minister Takaichi has committed to enhancing female representation in her cabinet, yet her current cabinet includes only two other women alongside herself.
This restroom issue is symptomatic of broader failures in ensuring gender parity in various sectors across Japan, where long lines for women's restrooms are commonplace nationwide.
Previous administrative comments on the need for improved restroom access for women reflect a recognized need for comprehensive societal reforms to create an environment where women feel secure.
