Japan’s first female Prime Minister, Sanae Takaichi, has publicly supported a growing campaign by women lawmakers to increase the number of women’s restrooms in the National Diet. The issue has gained attention as the current facilities are vastly inadequate, with just two cubicles near the plenary chamber for 73 female legislators. The parliamentary complex, constructed in 1936, predates women’s suffrage in Japan, highlighting how the building’s design has not kept pace with gender equality.

The shortage affects more than lawmakers, as women staffers and journalists working in the Diet also struggle with limited facilities. Constitutional Democratic Party member Yasuko Komiyama drew attention to the problem in a recent Facebook post, noting that long waits for restrooms are a daily challenge. The situation has sparked discussions about the broader need for gender-conscious infrastructure in workplaces across Japan.

Japan’s parliament currently has only nine women’s toilets with a total of 22 cubicles for the entire building. With 73 women elected to the 465-seat Lower House in October 2024, these facilities are insufficient for the growing number of female legislators. The disparity is stark in a country where workplaces—including Parliament—remain largely male-dominated.

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The shortage also reflects a wider societal issue. According to the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Index, Japan ranks 118th out of 148 countries, highlighting persistent gender inequalities. Public restrooms across Japan also suffer from long lines for women, indicating that the problem extends far beyond the Diet.

Prime Minister Takaichi’s support marks a significant moment, as she joins other female legislators advocating for change in a system that has historically overlooked women’s needs. Observers see this as an opportunity to modernize the parliamentary complex and create a more equitable working environment for all lawmakers.

The campaign for more women’s restrooms has sparked broader conversations about gender equality in Japanese society. Advocates hope that addressing basic infrastructural needs in Parliament could serve as a symbolic step toward greater inclusion of women in political and public life.

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