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Opinion

Women in politics

By Tony Laszlo


日本の女性と政治

「何かを言ってもらいたいときには男に頼め、 何かをしてもらいたいときには女に頼め」 というが、日本の政界を見てみると…。

"If you want something said, ask a man; if you want something done, ask a woman." These words are credited to Margaret Thatcher, the conservative politician who served as Great Britain's prime minister for a record three terms in the '80s.

While I don't quite agree with Ms. Thatcher's sentiments, I must confess that I have been hoping that Japanese women might climb to a position where they can "get something done" and help steer Japan on a fresh course, up from its economic doldrums and away from the seemingly endless line of political scandals.

Just a short time ago, it was quite easy to harbor such hopes. Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi rose to a rather stunning and sensational victory, very much due to the support of Makiko Tanaka, who was then at the pinnacle of her popularity. The prime minister then made history by giving ministerial roles to a record five women. His appointment of Tanaka as foreign minister, another first for Japan, further served to increase expectations.

This recent progress in gender equality in politics is even more important considering Japan's poor track record in this area. Japan's record for women in the Diet is 39. This mark was not set recently, however, but rather in 1946, the year that Japanese women were first granted suffrage.

Since that time, the number of women in the Diet has been abysmally low, particularly in the Lower House. To make matters worse, Japan's leaders have largely sidestepped the women who made it through the gate. For nearly a quarter of a century - from the end of the Ikeda Cabinet in 1961 to 1983 when Yasuhiro Nakasone first took the reins - not a single woman was appointed to a ministerial position.

As the smoke clears after the infighting and confusing turnabouts that marked the 2002 Japanese political scene, the observer is left to ponder where Japanese women stand now and where they are going in politics. It is true that there are still five female ministers, all of whom seem quite capable and reliable. However, Tanaka and Kiyomi Tsujimoto, two highly charismatic women - both of whom probably held a fair chance of one day becoming prime minister - have left the arena. While both were undone by their own wrongdoings, one cannot help but perceive them - at least to some degree - as the proverbial nails being hammered down for having stuck themselves out a bit too far.

Fortunately, we can be encouraged by the fact that the number of female governors has quite suddenly shot up from zero to three. While hardly exciting firebrands, at least these women have not been unseated.

Perhaps it is these steady-as-you-go types who will rack up noteworthy achievements in Japan during the next few year. But whether such women will be captivating, imaginative and powerful enough to convince the electorate that they can lead Japan in the top spot is another question. We may have to wait at least a while longer for proof that Thatcher's observations are applicable in Nagatacho.



Shukan ST: Nov. 15, 2002

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