Gender Equality and the Essential Equality of the Sexes

Under the Meiji Constitution, the family system, known as the ie system, was established under the Meiji Civil Code, which came into effect in 1898. Under this system, the head of the household (koshu) exercised authority over family members. By contrast, Article 24 of the Constitution of Japan established equality between the sexes in marriage and respect for individual dignity, providing that marriage shall be based on the free consent of the parties. The provision was introduced with the aim of reconsidering the prewar ie system and promoting respect for the individual and gender equality. Beate Sirota Gordon, who was a member of the Government Section of the General Headquarters of the Allied Powers (GHQ) at the time, was also involved in the drafting process of Article 24.