3.Article 4
| (1) | Appointment of women as members of national advisory councils and committees |
| As reported in the third periodic report, the target ratio of 15 percent of women members as national advisory council and committees was set to be achieved by approximately 1995, and after serious efforts were made in this area, this ratio rose to 15.5 percent by the end of March 1996 (the end of FY 1995), thus, achieving the target. | |
| Then, in May 1996, the Headquarters for the Promotion of Gender Equality set the new target at the internationally recognized target level of 30 percent in approximately 10 years time, and for the time being, at 20 percent by the earliest possible time before the end of FY 2000. At present, continuous efforts are being made to achieve these new targets. The ratio of women as of the end of September 1997 was 17.4 percent. | |
| (2) | Request for cooperation in the appointment of women in advisory bodies of local public organizations |
| Prefectural governments and designated cities are also making efforts to promote women in their advisory bodies and committees by setting target ratios and dates for achievement. | |
| The ratio of women in advisory bodies provided by law is 12.8 percent as of June 1, 1996. | |
| (3) | Measures to promote the use of women workers' abilities and skills (Positive Action) |
| 1)Promotion of the Positive Action
In FY 1996, the Ministry of Labour held a study group on promoting the use of women workers' abilities and skills. The group compiled "Guideline regarding voluntary measures by business proprietors to promote the use of women workers' abilities and skills" which indicate the idea and give examples of concrete methods as reference for business proprietors to promote the demonstration of the abilities of women employees and to actively utilize them. Business proprietors are urged to take measures to both utilize the Guideline and further understand the importance of taking positive action. The revision of the Equal Employment Opportunity Law was issued in June 1997 to set the new provisions for government to support and consult those business proprietors which promote positive action. 2)Support for women entrepreneurs In FY 1996, the Ministry of Labour conducted a study group to examine the measures to systematically provide assistance to those women who wish to be entrepreneurs in the future by grasping the needs of women planning to be entrepreneurs and problems confronted by women entrepreneurs. Based on the outcome of the study group, a manual for women entrepreneurs was compiled and measures to assist women entrepreneurs are promoted. |
4.Article 5 (a)
| (1) | Publicity and enlightenment activities for the correction of stereotyped notions for gender roles |
| The Japanese Government disseminates information on its national measures to promote gender equality at home and abroad by ways of a Web Page and the Internet since October 1996, in addition to various publicity in newspapers, magazines, television and radio broadcasting, etc. aimed to improve the status of women and to achieve a gender equal society. | |
| The Government, in its effort to create a gender-equal society, holds the "National Conference toward the Creation of a Gender-Equal Society" to acquire further appreciation and cooperation from Japanese nationals, the "Regional Conference for the Promotion of Gender Equality" to develop the atmosphere of further promoting various activities in the local communities, and "Program to Encourage Cities to Declare Gender Equality" that encourage "Cities with Declarations on Gender Equality". Furthermore, the Japanese Government plans to formulate guidelines for expressions to improve publications issued by public organizations from the standpoint of gender equality. | |
| Some local public organizations have already set such guidelines and are actively addressing the issue. From FY 1998, Conference for Young Women Leaders for those who have already begun to play active roles in the communities will be held in order to facilitate the penetration of gender equality into the local communities. | |
| Furthermore, a week from the 4th through the 10th of December has been named "Human Rights Week" every year since 1949 with a view to enhance people's consciousness of human rights with the cooperation of relevant agencies and organizations. | |
| During this week, the Regional Legal Affairs Bureaus, the District Legal Affairs Bureaus and Civil Liberties Commissioners throughout the country (13,806, as of January 1, 1998) engage in intensive public information and enlightenment activities. Since 1975, in particular, a slogan entitled "Let's raise the status of women" has been adopted as one of the items to be emphasized during the week, and various public information and other activities have been and are sponsored by these organs in all parts of the country to enlighten people on the human rights of women, including the holding of lecture or discussion meetings film shows, setting up temporary consultation service, use of mass media, and distribution of posters, leaflets or pamphlets, etc. | |
| "Women's Week" was introduced in the third periodic report, and since 1995, the week adopted the theme "Let's create a society for the 21st century in which we can be ourselves", and campaign is being promoted nation-wide. | |
| As it is indispensable to abolish the stereotyped notions for gender roles even from the point of realizing equal employment opportunities, publicity and advocacy activities are carried out every June during the "Month for Equal Employment Opportunity" between Men and Women. | |
| (2) | Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women |
| The Japanese Government prepared leaflets and posters on the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (in Japanese) and distributed them to prefectural governments and various women's organizations to make the convention known. Furthermore, it reports on the result of the deliberation at every meeting of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women to NGOs as reported in Article 3. | |
| The Convention is also available from the Internet home page of Office for Gender Equality in the Prime Minister's Office as a measure to make the convention widely known. | |
| (3) | Respect for the human rights of women in the media |
| In the broadcast media, the appropriation of programs has been promoted and expanded in recent years by providing opportunities for opinion exchanges between audience and broadcasting entities through the establishment of the Consultative Organization on Broadcast Programs, establishment of a focal point responsive to audiences, and broadcast of programs responsive to audiences, etc. |