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Paper short abstract

In Japan, where a voluntary party quota, a less enforceable quota system, has been implemented, the share of women in local assemblies has shown a steady increase. This paper examines the non-quota strategies and support mechanisms that empower women who run for and remain in local assemblies.

Paper long abstract

Gender equality in local government has become a central issue in political science, particularly in the context of efforts to enhance women’s representation in decision-making processes worldwide. In Japan, since the enactment of the Act on Promotion of Gender Equality in the Political Field in 2018, which is categorized as a voluntary party quota in the Gender Quota Database of the IDEA, political parties have been encouraged to promote gender balance among candidates for both national and local elections. The Fifth Basic Plan for Gender Equality (2021-2025) articulates a governmental commitment to advancing women’s participation in decision-making processes at all levels, including the establishment of a numerical target of the proportion of women in nationwide local elections set for 35% by 2025. Additionally, the Intensive Policy for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women 2025 seeks to provide platforms and networking opportunities to women who aspire to enter politics. In Japan, only a voluntary political party gender quota, a less enforceable quota, has been implemented. However, the proportions of female candidates and women elected in the nationwide election in 2023 reached record highs, 19.2% and 19.9% respectively, though still falling short of the government’s target. Notably, prefectural assembly-member elections witnessed an increase in women elected as Independents, including members of women’s groups advocating for enhancing women’s representation in local assemblies. Electoral campaigns for prefectural assemblies remain party-centered due to the majoritarian system with single- and medium-sized districts. The purpose of this paper is to classify the types and mechanisms of empowering women who run for and remain in prefectural assemblies by analyzing the survey data on support based on non-quota strategies available to women who successfully won seats in prefectural assemblies with backing from women’s groups and political parties.