Japan’s parliament will add more women’s toilet cubicles after female lawmakers raised concerns about the shortage of facilities in the historic Diet building. The decision follows a petition signed by 58 women members of parliament, who called for better restroom access as female representation in politics continues to grow.
Officials confirmed that the women’s restroom next to the main parliamentary chamber will expand from two cubicles to four after the current Diet session ends on July 17. Authorities are also considering adding more women’s facilities on other floors of the building.
Female lawmakers said long queues regularly form before parliamentary sessions because of the limited number of women’s toilets. They argued that the existing facilities no longer meet the needs of lawmakers, staff, and secretaries working in the parliament.
The Diet building was completed in 1936, years before Japanese women gained the right to vote in 1945. As a result, the building was designed at a time when very few women were expected to serve in public office.
Women remain underrepresented in Japanese politics despite gradual progress. Only 68 women won seats in the 465-member lower house during the most recent election. The Japanese government aims to increase women’s representation to at least 30 percent of legislative seats, while improvements to parliamentary facilities reflect the changing role of women in national politics.
