An advisory panel on gender equality submitted a report to Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori on Monday labeling domestic violence a criminal act and seeking adequate legislation and measures to stop violence in the home.
The Council for Gender Equality, headed by Sumiko Iwao, professor emeritus at Keio University, said in the report that there is "not a moment to lose" in tackling assaults on women by husbands or partners and urged society to crack down on such acts by law.
The report also calls on police and other public entities to protect victims while seeking the establishment of a counseling system available around the clock.