The slow development of #MeToo in Japan is particularly striking when contrasted with Korea. Despite also being a society where discrimination against women is deeply rooted, accusations by Korean women of sexual harassment have brought down a former presidential hopeful, a Seoul mayoral hopeful, and the country’s top poet. President Moon Jae-in has also pledged his support for the #MeToo movement.

Despite his stated commitment to empowering women in the workplace through his “Womenomics” program, prime minister Shinzo Abe has made no such public commitment to #MeToo. As Abe—currently meeting with US president Donald Trump in Florida—finds himself bogged down in scandal with plunging approval ratings, he might consider recasting his views on sexual harassment and gender discrimination in Japan.

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