Female Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly member Ayaka Shiomura came under a barrage of sexually offensive remarks from male members during an assembly meeting Wednesday, after the 35-year-old freshman member spoke in favor of increased support for working mothers and infertile women.

The incident set off a wave of angry comments and protests on social media and in the blogosphere, coming as Prime Minister Shinzo Abe tries to promote the role of women in business and society.

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