NEW YORK: A United Nations panel has urged Japan to take stronger measures to eliminate gender inequality.

The Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women said the country’s efforts were “insufficient”.

It pointed to unequal laws on marriage, the treatment of women in the labour market and the low representation of women on elected bodies.

But the committee said Japan had made great progress reducing the already low maternal mortality rate.

It said the world’s second-biggest economy ranked 54th in the world in terms of gender equality.

It was concerned over the low legal penalty for rape and the widespread availability in Japan of violent pornography, it added.

And the committee said Japan should set goals to increase the number of women in senior decision-making positions in the workplace and politics.