The government's upcoming action plan for gender equality will probably rule out uniform gender-free initiatives because of opposition from within the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, sources said.
A draft outline of the five-year plan, which is to go into effect next April, says gender equality initiatives do not aim to "deny gender differences uniformly or eliminate entirely ideas of masculinity, femininity or gender distinctions under the term gender-free."
Some LDP members have objected to aspects of gender-free education, the sources said. The outline gives examples of what they consider improper elements of gender-free education, including making students of both sexes change clothes in the same room or stay overnight in the same room.
The outline says the government does not seek to deny family values or traditions.
Gender differences sometimes lead to discrimination or strictly defined gender roles, but a review of society should be undertaken while striving for a "social consensus," the plan says.
The government aims to have women hold at least 30 percent of leadership positions in politics and business by 2020, and help women who want to work after getting married or raising children.
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