On Sunday, polls opened in Tokyo for the election of a new governor. The incumbent, Yuriko Koike, is being challenged by opposition figure Renho, both of whom are notable women in Japan's predominantly male political atmosphere.
Japan has never had a female prime minister, and the majority of its lawmakers are men. However, Tokyo, which represents one-tenth of the country's population and one-fifth of its economy, has been governed by the 71-year-old former female TV anchor Koike since 2016.
This anticipated victory would be somewhat reassuring for the ruling Liberal Democratic Party and its unpopular Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, who is backing Koike despite her split from the party in 2017. Kishida, whose approval rating has plummeted to around 20% partly due to a political funding scandal, will also face the LDP leadership election later this year.
The Tokyo election coincides with new government data revealing a record-low birth rate of 1.20 last year, with Tokyo's rate at 0.99, making it the first region in Japan to fall below one. Both Koike and her main competitor, Renho have committed to enhancing parenting support, with Koike specifically promising subsidized epidurals.
"After having their first child, I hear people say they don't want to experience that pain again," Koike stated, as reported by local media.
"I want people to see childbirth and raising children as a happiness, not a risk," remarked the incumbent, who has campaigned with an AI-version of herself.
Renho, on the other hand, promised to support young people "and expand their life choices."
"I will implement genuine long-term fertility measures," said Renho, supported by Japan's main opposition parties.
"I will also realise transparent fiscal reforms, where everyone can check the situation."
A record 56 candidates are running in the election, though not all are serious contenders. One candidate is dressed as "The Joker" and advocating for the legalization of polygamy. Others are campaigning for more golf, poker, or simply to advertise their businesses in the red-light district.
Local media speculate that voter turnout may increase, given that early votes cast through July 5 reached 1.65 million, up 20 percent from 1.38 million in 2020. Overall turnout was 55 percent in the last election, down from nearly 60 percent when Koike was first elected in 2016. Regardless, in Japan's male dominated government, the two women in Tokyo continue to contend for governor.
Source
https://www.barrons.com/amp/news/women-fight-tokyo-election-in-male-dominated-japan-13477432
https://japantoday.com/category/politics/women-fight-tokyo-election-in-male-dominated-japan1
Photo: Yuichi Yamazaki/Getty Images