The ruling Liberal Democratic Party has decided to postpone a speech at the Diet to eulogize slain former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe until this fall following criticism over the choice of the person to deliver it.
Two women have entered the race for the leadership of Japan s ruling party for the first time in its 66-year history, putting in the spotlight both the strides taken and the hurdles that still face female politicians in a country that lags far behind other nations on gender equality.
Some experts say gender inequality will likely remain unaddressed as the Liberal Democratic Party is still heavily influenced by conservative male heavyweights.