Over half of local assemblywomen suffer harassment, survey shows

A growing number of female local assembly members in Japan are facing harassment at a rate nearly double that of their male counterparts, according to a recent Cabinet Office report highlighting barriers to women's political participation. The findings reveal that verbal abuse and physical contact are among the most common forms of harassment reported by women, with a higher percentage blaming election rivals and supporters compared to men. Additionally, 73.6% of female Asms face challenges balancing their work with family life, while fewer than half of male members have ever experienced harassment.