Abstract
In Japan, dominance theory has not been accepted as the leading theory for promoting gender equality presumably because the main player responsible for promoting gender equality has been the Japan Federation of Bar Associations (JFBA). Female members are only 18% of those of the JFBA even in 2015, and therefore male members have had strong power over the decision making within the JFBA. Even decisions related to gender issues have been dependent upon the agreement of male members. The leading theory has necessarily been that of the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women. While dominance theory does have had some influence on legal practice related to violence against women, there has been no possibility that dominance theory became the leading theory for promoting gender equality.
