The Japanese go to the polls on Sunday 23 April for the second round of municipal, regional and parliamentary by-elections. After these elections, only 15 to 20% of women are expected to sit in the assemblies concerned.
The archipelago is the laggard of industrialized countries in terms of women's representation in politics. 57% of female politicians say they have already been harassed during election campaigns. But sexual harassment is not included in Japan's Penal Code, which only punishes sexual assault.