1. Women & Politics in Japan

• The absence of female

• figures in JP government

• &

• The prospect of a

• female head of state

• Presented by DC

2. Objective

• Why are women so underrepresented

• in JP government &

• what do its citizens think of having a female head of state?

• Methods: Research & Survey

• Thesis: There are social barricades such as discrimination & traditional gender roles keeping women from such positions.

3. History & Overview

• Although the topic is deemed radical in some societies today, the idea of a female leader/ruler/ or head of state is obviously NOT a new one.

• Think about it...

• Queens of ancient Egypt (Cleopatra VII 51BC)

• 690AD - Empress of China Wu Zetian

• Queen of England 1533-1603

• And of course modern day examples...

4. Present Day

• There are approximately 20 countries that currently have a female head of state/president.

• They include India, Germany, Brazil, Peru, Switzerland, Argentina, & Australia.

• And several nations have had a female leader/head of state in the past (Panama, Haiti, Israel, Ireland, Philippines, etc).

• The US, France, & Japan are a few industrialized nations that have never had a female head of state.

5. In Japan

• Very few females in major leading roles

• One of the lowest amongst developed countries.

• In 1996 Japan was ranked 11th/12 national assembly members in proportion of female civil servants: Only 9.4 % (Japan times weekly)

• In 2006, ranked 10/10 at around 20%

STATE OF WOMEN IN URBAN LOCAL GOVERNMENT JAPAN - Hiroko Hashimoto

6. The Survey

• 4 General Questions

• 16 Responses

• 10 Female

• 6 Male

• Average age around 36

• Oldest person was in his 70s

• All Japanese Citizens

7. The Questions 1.What do you think about Japan having a woman as prime minister? 2. Why do you think there are so few women in major leadership positions in Japans government? 3. Do you prefer one gender over another for prime minister? (Or neither) 4.What kind of a woman would be able to win a head of state position?

8. The Responses

• 1.What do you think about Japan having a woman as prime minister?

• 16/16 - 100% responded positively.

• Over half added if shes competent -- Theyd support her.

9. The Responses 2. Why do you think there are so few women in major leadership positions in Japans government?

10. The Responses

• 3. Do you prefer one gender over another for prime minister?

• 15 Said gender did not matter

• 1 Person preferred a male as prime minister. (This was a female participant)

11. The Responses

• 4.What kind of a woman would be able to win the head of state position in Japan?

• Responses Varied, but the most popular ones were Famous Strong Charismatic & Experienced

12. The Responses

• 4.What kind of a woman would be able to win a head of state position in Japan?

• An interesting response:

• I want a strong leader who can make japan better, but in reality people might vote for experienced men. Even if a very eminent female candidate runs for prime minister, I dont think men would support her. Obviously men will decline her. - Female (age unknown)

13. Conclusion

• Most people in the survey generally thought positively about having gender equality for gov. positions.

• Almost everyone was aware of the lack of females in leadership positions. (A few skeptical of how men would react to women in office)

• Discrimination was the major reason given, but I did not get thats just the way things are as an answer -- Which is what I had expected after previous (separate) studies.

14. Conclusion

• Those in power probably have very different opinions on the matter, but it is obvious that women are still underrepresented regardless of the reasons.

• There are barriers for women looking to leadership roles, but things are perhaps changing in the social mindset. (average people seem open to gender equality in this realm) - A positive.

15. Are times changing? Text Yuriko Koike - Previous Minister of Defense (2007)

16. The End -DC -DC -DC -DC

17. References

• Japan Times Weekly http://weekly.japantimes.co.jp/ed/gender-equality-is-still-a-hard-goal-for-japan-to-achieve

• United Nations Civil Servant Report - http://icsc.un.org/resources/pdfs/ar/ar2006.pdf

• Wikipedia - Female heads of state

• STATE OF WOMEN IN URBAN LOCAL GOVERNMENT www.unescap.o rg/huset/women/reports/japan.pdf

• Usa Today http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2008-09-16-Japan_N.htm

• Telegraph uk http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/japan/2706087/Yuriko -Koike-seeks-to-become-Japans-first-female-prime-minister .html

• Female world leader listing: http://www.filibustercartoons.com/ch arts_rest_female-leaders.php