Studying state feminism in Japan is a theoretical and methodological challenge. Over a long time women and feminists have expected that the economic prosperity will spill over into more equal gender relations. Political mobilisation is hampered by widespread political apathy and little chance of major changes within institutional politics. Political power – alternating between conservative and nationalist parties ‒ is less receptive for changes in gender relations than in other countries. Is state feminism possible under such unfavourable conditions? How is the concept of state feminism applicable when the state is not considered as a vehicle of societal change? The qualitative analysis explores changes within the two RNGS-issues: political representation (gender quotas) and prostitution. The analysis shows that a rethinking among women and feminist organisation is growing with the prolonged economic crises and the growing pressure from international organisations.
