Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike Wins Third Term, But Japan's Politics Remain Overwhelmingly Dominated by Men

Strategic Insights -

Yuriko Koike, the first woman to lead Tokyo, has won her third term as governor, but despite her success, Japan's politics remain male-dominated. Last year, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's Liberal Democratic Party vowed to achieve 30 percent female representation within 10 years, but experts say a huge effort is needed for equal representation in a society where women are often expected to prioritize family responsibilities over a career. With a growing number of women seeking political careers, but still in the minority, especially in national politics, there are growing expectations for women to play a greater role in Japanese politics.

Key Takeaways:

  • Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike won her third term as governor, marking a significant milestone in Japan's politics, but also highlighting the rarity of women in top political offices.
  • Multiple women competing for a top political office is still rare in Japan, which has a poor global ranking for gender equality, but Koike's win signals a gradual rise in powerful female officials.
  • Parliamentarian Chinami Nishimura hopes to have women make up 30 percent of her party's candidates in the next national election.
  • Nishimura says former female colleagues have quit national politics and returned to local assemblies due to demands of childrearing, elderly care, and regular travel between Tokyo and home constituencies.
  • Japan ranks 163rd among 190 countries in female representation in parliament, with only 10.3 percent of the lower house seats held by women.
  • Women make up about 30 percent of the Tokyo assembly and their presence in town assemblies in urban areas is also growing.
  • In rural areas, 226 (13 percent) of the total had 'zero women' assemblies last year.
  • A report by the Geneva-based Inter-Parliamentary Union in April showed Japan's female representation in parliament put the country at its lowest ranking in over 25 years.
  • Maintaining an increased number of female ministers is a challenge due to a shortage of women with seniority.
  • Women are also given limited leadership chances, which delays gender equality laws and policies.

Statistics:

  • 30 percent of the Tokyo assembly is held by women.
  • Women make up about 14.5 percent of Japanese local assemblies.
  • 226 (13 percent) of the total 1,740 Japanese local assemblies had 'zero women' assemblies last year.
  • 10.3 percent of the lower house seats in parliament are held by women.
  • Japan ranks 163rd among 190 countries in female representation in parliament.
  • 39 women were elected to parliament in 1946, representing 8.4 percent of the total.
  • 1,000+ women were elected to local assemblies in 2021, representing 14.5 percent of the total.

Sources:

  • Chinami Nishimura, parliamentarian and senior official with the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan
  • Mari Miura, Sophia University professor and expert on gender and politics
  • Chiyako Sato, Mainichi Shimbun editorial writer and commentator on politics
  • Yuriko Koike, Tokyo Governor
  • Renho, veteran parliamentarian and candidate for Tokyo Governor
  • Geneva-based Inter-Parliamentary Union report in April
  • Gender Equality Bureau of the Cabinet Office report
  • Sophia University professor Mari Miura