Special feature on active female politicians

Ten female leaders who are transforming the Liberal Democratic Party and helping Japan take a leap forward.
To celebrate the publication of "Female Lawmakers Break Down the Walls of Nagatacho!", we received a message for university students.

table of contents
Tomomi Inada - Aiming for a truly diverse conservative party Changing the landscape of the LDP, changing the landscape of Japan
Yukari Sato - Japan's decision to lead the world towards a new era "Beyond Zero" and save the planet from crisis
Keiko Nagaoka - Reforming Japanese politics from a housewife's perspective
Kuniko Inoguchi - Aiming for disarmament, peace, and a gender-equal society
Masako Mori - Aiming to create a society where everyone can reach their full potential
Fusae Ota - Women's "power to see things from a broader perspective" will create a new era
Hinako Takahashi - "Shindo Fujitsu" (Fujitsu of the Earth). Protecting agriculture, protecting people's lives, and protecting the safety of Japan
Asako Omi: Using her diverse experiences to take on national politics
Sugita Mio - Protecting Japan's Honor and Future
Takako Suzuki - Thinking about Japanese politics from a regional perspective

As a lawyer for around 20 years, I have worked to make Japan a better place, particularly through lawsuits regarding historical recognition. Then, in 2005, when the postal service was dissolved, I was invited by Prime Minister Abe, who was then acting secretary, to run as a candidate for the Liberal Democratic Party. However, at that time, there was already less than a month left until the election. Normally, I would not run for office, but my belief is, "If you're unsure whether to go forward or stop, go forward." I thought that even if I failed, it would be a great asset, so I decided to take on the challenge.
I have witnessed the harsh reality of women's advancement into politics. However, I now have female comrades fighting alongside me. My senior colleagues fought alone, in solitude. Even now, depending on the nature of my activities, there are times when I find myself fighting alone, but I have comrades within the same party, and this supports me as I press forward.
I want all students to set goals so big that they make people laugh. Humans cannot become more than they want to be. Have big dreams, but also take firm steps, one by one. And when an opportunity presents itself, never let it slip away; grab it. If you are unsure, just move forward. Charge forward towards a bright future.
(Yoshio Ogawa, 4th year student at Keio University)

Students are the ones who will shape Japan's future, so I hope they will take on big challenges while they are still students, such as starting their own businesses or becoming independent. Today's students are quite quiet. Looking back at my time studying in the United States as a student, students in the United States at the time were very active, paying for their own tuition through part-time jobs, becoming independent from their parents and starting their own businesses. I also studied abroad in Switzerland and France, and I recall that European students were very politically conscious.
The reason I decided to study abroad in the first place was because I thought that Japanese people needed people like these overseas students who were highly conscious and not bound by narrow preconceived notions. I think that studying abroad gave me the opportunity to develop a broader perspective, not just as a Japanese person, and to become someone who can see things from a global perspective.
I feel that there are a great many women in the world who are active and possess both resilience and inner strength. Unfortunately, in the world of politics and economics, there are still many women who are unable to fully utilize these virtues.
I would like to see more women actively involved in politics, the economy, and other areas, and create a Japan where young people in particular can more easily demonstrate their abilities and live comfortably.
(Ohashi Seinan, 3rd year student at Nihon University)

When I was a student, there was a big difference in employment rates between men and women, and women's lifestyles were limited. Although there were some women who entered society and worked hard, it was common for most women to help with housework and family business, or to become full-time housewives, after graduating from university. Nowadays, society is gradually changing to one where men and women enter society as equals, work, and take care of housework and childcare. I would like young people to be more aware that from now on, it will be important to create an environment where it is easier for both men and women to work, where both men and women take the initiative in housework and childcare, and where couples build a home together. Both men and women should join hands and live their lives thinking about how they can support their families and make them wonderful. It is the young people of Japan today who will shape Japan in the future. Please do your best!
(Ohashi Seinan, 3rd year student at Nihon University)

When I was teaching at a university, I saw that most women who graduated and entered the workforce never returned to work after getting married. This desire to do something about it led me to become a politician. As a university student, I urge you to study. The time you have to study is surprisingly limited. However, what you learn will definitely be useful in life. Study English in particular. In the future, people who can speak English will increasingly rise to the top in the workplace, so now is the time to learn to speak like a native. There are many things you can do, such as reading English newspapers and shadowing English news. Study with the intention of not wasting a single minute. Furthermore, I urge you to not neglect improving your Japanese writing skills. Fundamental skills are important. Read lots of printed books, get exposed to a wide range of expressions, and make them your own.
(Hama Honoka, 1st year student at Toyo University)

Our aim to create a "better society for women" is not just to give preferential treatment to women. We believe that by striving to create a "better society for women," we can also create a better society for other socially vulnerable people, which will ultimately lead to the creation of a better society for all.
To create a better society, I would like everyone to take part in more elections. I think that politics may seem like a distant topic, especially for young people. However, even things that are deeply rooted in your daily lives, such as trains, supermarkets, and restaurants, are influenced by politics. In order to realize the society that you all desire, I would be grateful if you would first go to the polls.
As for other aspects, I hope you will remember to show gratitude in small ways and convey it to others. For example, if your mother makes you a lunch, say, "It was delicious." Such simple things will become very important once you enter society.
(Yoshio Ogawa, 4th year student at Keio University)

When I was a university student, it was common for women to get married and stay at home, and I myself aspired to become a housewife. However, at the University of Tokyo where I attended, there were only 10 women in the combined Faculty of Law and Faculty of Economics, but these women were very conscious, and I was inspired by them to start my career. At the time, society was male-dominated, and there were very few opportunities for women to thrive. Even if you were able to work, you were expected to "think and act like a man." I think society is now easier for women to work than it was back then, but it cannot be said that it is a society without gender differences. I hope that the younger generation will take an interest in politics, and even more so, that they will participate in politics with a sense of purpose and with the intention of paving their own way. Furthermore, I hope that women will not aim to act like men, but will instead use their femininity as a positive and value their sensibilities.
(Hama Honoka, 1st year student at Toyo University)

I thought we needed to think fundamentally about environmental issues and the future of Japan, but I realized that many people weren't thinking about these issues from a fundamental perspective, which is what made me want to become a politician. I thought, "I'm not going to let someone else do it, I'm going to do it myself."　　
For the past 25 years, we have been working to raise awareness of seating, a technique for correcting the way people sit in wheelchairs and other devices, and it has already become a major technology in the United States.
The difference between Japan and other countries is in the way care is provided. In Japan, care is given thoroughly and a "chair to sit on" is made, but overseas, "chairs to help people become independent" are made. In other countries, even if a person has a disability, they are made to become independent. This requires seating technology.
I want students today to not give up on the things they want to do and to try them out. Even if you want to do something now, your thoughts will change from time to time. But I think that will lead to your own activities someday.
(Reon Kitajima, 2nd year Bunkyo University)

I hope that university students will find what they truly want to do and work hard towards it. The era of 100-year lifespans is becoming a reality. I believe that life is about constantly finding what you truly want to do, and continuing to seek the answer in order to live a fulfilling life. Of course, the path will not be smooth, and you will likely face various barriers and obstacles. How you think and search at such times will be what leads to your growth. Not all lives are smooth sailing; I hope that you will take a step further, experience struggle, and find something worth devoting your life to.
One of the reasons I aspired to become a member of the Diet was that my father was a member of the House of Representatives, and I watched him work there. Another major factor was that I thought, "If my experience can be of use, then why not?" After graduating from university, I joined NTT as part of the first generation of women to be enrolled under the Equal Employment Opportunity Act. As I built my career, I was inspired by the words of a senior entrepreneur: "If you can't do the job you want, create the job you want." I quit my job and started my own company. In my personal life, I was divorced and raised two sons as a single mother. I experienced issues like childcare waiting lists, balancing work and family, the struggles of single mothers, and my experiences as an entrepreneur. The realization that I had the experience to speak about many of the issues facing society today, from my own perspective, led me to the world of politics.
The problems and hardships you face every day are invaluable. Believe that "everything you experience will become a valuable experience for you," and enjoy your student life to the fullest.
(Ohashi Seinan, 3rd year student at Nihon University)

I studied forestry at the Forestry Department of the Faculty of Agriculture at university. Until my late 30s, I worked hard as a city hall employee, balancing work and child-rearing. However, I was inspired by meeting young people who were working hard to make Japan a better place, and so I decided to take a leap of faith and aim to become a member of the Diet.
Up until now, I have focused on diplomacy and security, and I would like to continue to communicate in order to protect Japan's honor and national interests, while also focusing on welfare for people with disabilities and support for children in particular.
I feel that current child-rearing support is centered on the parents raising their children, such as by increasing the number of childcare facilities. I think that more measures should be taken to ensure the healthy development of children.
I sincerely hope that all young people will think outside the box and take on many challenges.
(Reon Kitajima, 2nd year Bunkyo University)

The more seriously you think about the person you want to be in the future and the dreams you have, the more difficult it can become. Meanwhile, adults often ask, "What are your goals?" and "What are your dreams?" Some people may feel anxious if they don't have a clear goal. However, this very process of searching is a strength. Searching for answers means you can try various things, and the possibilities are endless. After graduating from university in Canada, I returned to Japan and worked as a program production director for NHK in Nagano Prefecture and Tokyo. There, I realized that Japan and its regions have both charm and potential. However, this potential has not yet been fully realized. This was the same in my hometown of Hokkaido. I want to build a society where hard work is rewarded, where young people are not afraid to speak out about their dreams and hopes. I want to build a society where everyone can continue to take on challenges.
(Ohashi Seinan, 3rd year student at Nihon University)

Student Newspaper WEB Special feature on active female politicians July 30, 2020 Biography and comments from the publication commemorative seminar