Japanese lawmakers have celebrated the 130th anniversary of the opening of the country's parliament.

The beginning of Japan's parliamentary system dates back to 1890, when members of the Imperial Diet gathered for the first time.

An international survey shows female representation in national parliaments around the world has almost doubled in the past 25 years. But Japan ranked low despite an increase in the proportion of female lawmakers.

The Geneva-based Inter-Parliamentary Union released the results of its survey of the number of women in the lower or single houses of parliament around the world. The publication comes ahead of International Women's Day, on March 8.