Japanese Female Lawmakers Petition for More Parliament Toilets Amid Rising Representation

Petition Submitted by 58 Lawmakers

In a significant move highlighting the evolving landscape of Japanese politics, a cross-party group of 58 female lawmakers, led by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, submitted a petition earlier this month (December 2025) calling for an increase in toilet facilities within the parliament building. The petition was formally presented to Yasukazu Hamada, chairman of the Lower House committee on rules and administration.

The initiative underscores a growing demand for infrastructure to match the improved representation of women in the Japanese Diet. Prime Minister Takaichi, who made history as Japan's first female prime minister after her election in October 2025, joined the appeal, emphasizing the need for equitable facilities.

Outdated Facilities Highlight Gender Disparity

The core of the petition addresses the stark imbalance in restroom availability, a legacy of the parliament building's construction in 1936, nearly a decade before women gained the right to vote in Japan in December 1945. According to the petition, near the main plenary session hall, there is only one lavatory containing two cubicles designated for the 72 women currently serving in the Lower House.

Overall, the Lower House building features 12 men's toilets with 67 stalls, compared to just 9 women's facilities with a total of 22 cubicles. This disparity frequently leads to significant inconvenience for female lawmakers. Opposition MP Yasuko Komiyama of the Constitutional Democratic Party was quoted saying, 'Before plenary sessions start, truly so many women lawmakers have to form long queues in front of the restroom.' She added that they 'sometimes have to give up on using the restroom and just hold it.'

Growing Female Representation in Japanese Politics

The petition comes as Japan sees a notable, though still limited, increase in female political participation. Currently, 72 of the 465 Lower House lawmakers are women, a rise from 45 in the previous parliament. In the Upper House, 74 of the 248 members are women. The Japanese government has set a target for women to occupy at least 30% of legislative seats.

Despite these gains, Japan continues to face challenges in gender equality, ranking 118 out of 148 nations in the World Economic Forum's Global Gender Gap Report this year. The demand for improved facilities is seen by some as a symbolic step towards broader gender equality within the nation's political sphere.

Official Response and Future Outlook

Upon receiving the petition, Yasukazu Hamada reportedly stated that the committee would 'discuss the matter positively.' The lawmakers are advocating for additional restrooms to be installed near the chamber as early as possible in the next fiscal year, aiming to create a more functional and equitable working environment for all members of the Diet.