Abstract
From 10:00 am on January 21, 1992(Sat.)at Kansai Gaidai University, the seven members reported their research findings on the given topic, "Men and Women-Legal and Political Problems on Principle of Equality."This was followed by a question and answer session. Mr.Mamoru Kaida, a member, and I were selected as coordinators of the Symposium. Being novice coordinators, I hesitate to say that we glided through the Symposium. Nevertheless, thanks to the cooperative, understanding and tolerant members, the Symposium closed successfully. The morning session commenced with Mr.Michihiko Yamaguchi reporting on sexual discrimination from the stance of history of legal doctrine. This was followed by Mr.Shoetsu Matsumoto's talk on theories on equal employment opportunity law for men and women. The third report was given by Mr.Kotaku Ishido on changes in the legal position of women. The morning session closed with Ms.Naomi Doi on women in politics as an occupation. In the afternoon session, Ms Setsuko Nagawa led way to the podium with her report on equality in marriage. This was followed by Mr.Shigeki Kanatani's report on the positions of men and women in the eyes of administrative law. The session concluded with Mr.Naoto Shiga's talk on emploment by course and equal employment opportunity law for men and women. All reports went beyond merely drawing attention to sexual discrimination in law and politics. I was impressed that the members focused on the kinds of action we need to attain genuine equality. I found myself nodding in agreement with the comment made on the so-called protection that exists in the US where affirmative action is only in the form of law enactment. Law enactment is inclined to be a tentative and transitional measure. As a long-term policy, it creates problems.
