June 2, 2021

A women's advocacy group on June 1 submitted to the Diet 88,027 signatures on a petition calling for Japan's ratification of the Optional Protocol to the UN Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW).

Before submitting the petition, the group "OP-CEDAW Action" held a rally in the House of Councilors members' office building. Japanese Communist Party member of the Lower House Inoue Satoshi and four other JCP Dietmembers gave brief speeches in support at the rally. Lawmakers from the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, the Democratic Party for the People, the Social Democratic Party, and the Okinawa Whirlwind also attended the rally.

Co-chair of the OP-CEDAW Action Asakura Mutsuko, professor emeritus of Waseda University, said that the group is planning to submit a written request in the joint names of 118 organizations to urge the Japanese government to ratify the Optional Protocol.

Asakura noted that 80 municipal assemblies, including the Osaka prefectural assembly, have so far adopted some sort of statement calling on the national government to ratify the Optional Protocol, and added that the group will promote a campaign to press the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly to adopt a similar statement.

Asakura said, "We are thinking of sending out questionnaires to candidates for the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly election, asking them for their position on this issue, and we will publicize their answers to inform voters."

A representative from the New Japan Women's Association (NJWA or Shinfujin) said, "To upgrade women's rights in Japan to reach international standards is essential to establish a gender-equal society."

Past related article:
> Japan’s Foreign Ministry neglects CEDAW committee’s recommendation report for 2 years [March 26, 2021]