In Japan, eyewear bans on women have sparked protests in some companies. A group of women activists in a petition wants to call on the government to identify misogynist policies on women's clothing and looks in a proposed anti-harassment law, the Japanese daily Tokyo Shimbun reported Monday.
In Japan, discriminatory rules for women are still widespread in companies in various sectors. For example, female employees are forbidden to wear glasses at the company reception. Receptionists are now the "face of the company", as disturbing a pair of glasses. Some cosmetic company argues also, glasses at salesgirls covered the own product.
Behind the petition, which is now underway, is a group of women under the leadership of actress and author Yumi Ishikawa, who had previously launched an initiative against the mandatory wearing of high-heeled shoes for women in the workplace. Under the hashtag "#KuToo" - an allusion to the Japanese words for shoes (kutsu) and pain (kutsuu) - since then corresponding rules are criticized in companies.
Also in reaction to the glasses prohibition there is a special Japanese-language hashtag in the net. Although the government recognizes the problem - there is nothing concrete in the planned guidelines on workplace harassment, Ishikawa is quoted as saying.
