Protecting and Promoting Gender-Equal Society at the Local Level: The System of Ombudpersons and the Challenges of Local Government

This article is to overview the recently established ombudsperson system for protecting and promoting gender-equal society by the local governments, such as Hokkaido Prefecture, Saitama Prefecture, Tottori Prefecture, Kawasaki City and Yokohama City. This system deals with the complaints of victims against gender discrimination, providing counseling services for them and for the related parties and, in tern, giving advices to local governments. In chapter 1, the proposal of the Council for Gender Equality at Prime Minister’s Office is discussed. In chapters 2 and 3, details of the new try of those governments are explored. These include eliminating gender discrimination, promoting gender equality in local level and re-establishing ombudsperson systems. In final chapter 4, I summarize my exploration and present my some conclusions. In my evaluation, these challenges can be looked at progressive and effective way for the achievement of their goal