A nationwide survey of assemblywomen said Friday that just over 54 percent of female lawmakers feel uncomfortable when exposed to sexist acts, remarks or verbal abuse from assemblymen.
"Such sex discrimination has been a major obstacle for women seeking assembly membership as well as for their activities in assemblies," said an official from the New Japan Women's Association, a nongovernmental group that conducted the survey from September to December 2014.
The poll was answered by 964 of the nation's 3,826 female assembly members. The group conducted the survey after male legislators in the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly were called out for heckling a female member last June. The incident drew international attention to Japan's male-dominated society.
Some of the women polled reported serious harassment, including being touched inappropriately by another assembly member.
Of the respondents, 313 said they felt a sense of discomfort when exposed to acts triggered by widespread gender role perceptions, including remarks like "You are just a mere woman."
Many sexist remarks and acts were related to pregnancy and childbirth. One 32-year-old member of a city assembly reported she was told by a male colleague that she "should get married quickly and have a baby."
She was also told by a member of the public that "A little girl like you can't do anything," the survey said.
According to the survey, 115 respondents reported being targeted by sexual harassment.
A 44-year-old member of a municipal assembly said she was hovered over at a party and touched on her buttocks while being told, "Keep it up."
Asked for potential improvement measures, 278 respondents cited provision of better education and changes in thinking, followed by 144 who said there was a need to increase the number of female legislators.