Japan, Serious Sexual Harassment of Female Politicians by Voters

Sudden Hug and Kiss Incident Involving Female Candidate
As Issue Escalates, 'Female Lawmaker Harassment Counseling Center' Established

Sexual harassment of female politicians by voters is emerging as a social issue in Japan. Amid this, a controversy has arisen after a prospective election candidate was sexually assaulted by a stranger while giving a street speech.

On the 15th, the Yomiuri Shimbun reported that a man in his 40s, identified as Mr. A, who had no prior acquaintance with a woman in her 30s planning to run in next month's unified local elections, was caught by police on the spot for forcibly hugging and kissing her.

Candidate Wakabayashi Risa is campaigning on the street.
[Photo by Wakabayashi Risa Instagram]

According to the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department, Mr. A approached Wakabayashi Risa (36), who was giving a street speech in Setagaya Ward around 6 p.m. on the 13th, saying "Let's take a photo," then suddenly hugged and kissed her forcibly.

Wakabayashi, who is also active as an actress, is scheduled to run for the Setagaya Ward assembly seat in Tokyo as a candidate of the right-wing party Nippon Ishin no Kai in this local election.

Mr. A was arrested by police who responded to a report from another voter present at the scene. On the following day, the 14th, Wakabayashi posted on her Twitter, "I was sexually assaulted during a street speech yesterday. A man I didn't know approached me saying he wanted to take a photo and forcibly kissed me," describing the situation at the time.

She added, "I was deeply shocked, but I will not be defeated and will stay strong." In response, Japanese netizens left encouraging comments such as "Stay strong" and "We support you."

Sexual harassment of female politicians worsening... Counseling center opened

In Japan, ahead of the local elections, human rights issues of female candidates have come under scrutiny since last month. As female candidates giving street speeches continue to be exposed to sexual crimes and voters increasingly use voting as a pretext for sexual harassment, the term "vote harassment" has even emerged in Japan.

As the problem of sexual harassment against female politicians worsened, a counseling center was established last month in Japan. According to the Mainichi Shimbun, in February, university professors and related experts opened the "Women Legislators Harassment Counseling Center."

In Japan, ahead of the local elections, the human rights issues of female candidates have been brought to the forefront since last month. The photo is not related to the specific content of the article. [Photo by Asia Economy]

At a press conference at the time, they explained the purpose of the center, saying, "We will provide free online counseling for female legislators and candidates nationwide." Masato Hamada, co-representative of the support group for female legislators "Stand by Women," took the role of co-representative.

Co-representative Hamada said at the press conference, "After hearing about cases of harm from female politicians, we felt the need for a dedicated counseling window," adding, "Female local assembly members who travel alone without secretaries are especially vulnerable to sexual harassment."

There were also female legislators who shared actual cases of harm. Tomomi Higashi, a city council member of Machida City, Tokyo, said, "I have suffered sexual violence multiple times from male voters," explaining, "They would stroke my hand during handshakes and even slide their hands under my armpits to touch my body."

She emphasized, "Men approach female politicians or candidates by exploiting the psychology that 'politicians cannot ignore voters.'" She continued, "There were also cases where intoxicated voters hugged me at night," confessing, "I suffered from stress-induced acute pancreatitis two months after being elected."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.