Around 60 percent of prefectural assemblywomen across Japan have experienced sexual harassment, either by their male colleagues or voters, according to a Kyodo News survey.

Among 147 respondents to the survey conducted in February and March covering 261 assembly members, 87 respondents, or 59.2 percent, said they have had unpleasant experiences in their political activities due to "words and deeds stemming from misogyny," while the other 60, or 40.8 percent, said they have had no such experiences.

Asked about who had harassed them, with multiple answers allowed, 60 of the 87 assemblywomen cited male lawmakers in the same assembly, 46 pointed to voters, 16 to "other lawmakers," including Diet members, and 14 to local government officials.