The Impact of Sexual Harassment on Women in Japan: Law, Challenges, and Society.

This thesis examines sexual harassment in Japan through a legal and socio-cultural lens. It analyzes key laws such as the Equal Employment Opportunity Law and recent amendments to the Penal Code, while highlighting persistent challenges in enforcement and victim protection. The research argues that legal reforms alone are insufficient. Real change requires a broader transformation in cultural attitudes toward gender and power. It identifies both gaps in law enforcement and opportunities for reform, emphasizing that genuine progress requires redefining justice through the principles of consent, dignity, and equality. Using case studies, the research demonstrates how hierarchical structures and social expectations perpetuate silence and impunity. The thesis contributes to discussions on women's rights by identifying both legal gaps and opportunities for reform in Japan’s approach to sexual harassment.