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© Thomson Reuters 2023.Kishida's new cabinet reflects PM's focus on gender, defense
By Sakura Murakami TOKYO©2025 GPlusMedia Inc.
33 Comments
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sakurasuki
Suddenly Japan really care about gender representation? Is that happen occasionally only when the J Govt polls really drop. Even recently Japan even send man for G7 Woman Empowerment meeting
https://www.ndtv.com/feature/japan-sends-a-man-to-the-g7-conference-on-womens-empowerment-4167656
kurisupisu
Piecemeal steps and ironically using citizens’ tax money for these so-called subsidies…
indigo
the new circus
obladi
Kishida's new cabinet reflects PM's low popularity
deanzaZZR
I had never heard of Takushoku University before. It has an interesting history.
Originally, Takushoku University was named the Taiwan Association School, and was founded to produce graduates to contribute to the development of Taiwan. In 1907, it was renamed the Oriental Association Vocational School. In 1918, it adopted its present name of Takushoku University. Literally, "Takushoku" means "development and industrialization" as well as "colonization", because Japan had overseas colonies like Taiwan, South Sakhalin, and Korea to industrialize at that time. - Wikipedia
deanzaZZR
And, yes, that's Takaichi Sanae on Kishida's left.
Meiyouwenti
A desperate effort by the desperate PM to boost his all-time low approval rating. It’s not going to work.
Aly Rustom
exactly.
I agree.
TokyoLiving
Let's see..
I hope this new cabinet does things for the good of ITS OWN COUNTRY AND PEOPLE, and does not continue to be the geopolitical pet of the good old US..
Capuchin
But sadly it will because that's how Japanese politics work. Endless corruption, scandals and record low approval ratings have never threatened the LDP's monopoly on power before.
Sh1mon M4sada
I'm glad gaff prone Nomura is out, and Kihara is running the Foreign Ministry. Don't know why Kono is still there given all the recent bungles.
Image wise, 5 capable ladies says Kishida is willing to upset some old guards...is this good or bad in J politics?
voiceofokinawa
Will this new cabinet help recover the Kishida government's sagging popularity? Conspicuous in this reshuffle is the fact that Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi was replaced by Yoko Kamikawa and Defense Minister Yoshikazu Hamada by a politician who worked hard to strengthen the Japan-Taiwan ties.
Professor Yu Uchiyama of Tokyo University says Kamikawa's choice was due to the fact that she is U.S.-educated whereby it will ensure smooth ties with Washington.
But I don't agree with this assessment. Hayashi is also Harvard-educated and well-versed in the English language. So, why did he have to be replaced?
There must be some serious reasons why these two men were excluded.
JRO
I guess they saw some statistics that their most consistent voter base is women over 60. Young people stopped caring and men over 60 is busy waving their light batons.
Ricky Kaminski13
I know it’s hard not to be cynical and this is obviously an effort to score points with the public for ‘struggling to connect’ Kishida, but hey with Japans chronic ‘old boys’ club problem ( the architects of the lost decadeS) this is at least a step in the right direction.
Now let’s see if they can launch from the progressive optics and deliver something of real substance. Better late than never!
koiwaicoffee
So what's up with the elegant suits and fat pearl necklaces? Do they party after the picture?
shogun36
What?
Aso couldn’t be bothered to get off the toilet or wheelchair or wherever he lurks, to take the group pic?
Should be “fun” to see what this motley crew can do.
Are the women legitimate at their positions? Or are they there just for decoration?
I guess it doesn’t really matter anyway, since the men don’t do anything anyway.
Aly Rustom
You didn't read the article at all, did you?
The choice of Kamikawa, who has a master's degree from Harvard University, shows the government wants to ensure smooth ties with the United States, said Yu Uchiyama, a professor of politics at Tokyo University.
Jonathan Prin
I am getting older but still far from that average age of that government .
Hurray for more ladies but so far from objectives to get a fair representation of people's needs.
A gerontocracy does not usually have any clear mind about its future.
Photo is total opposite of an idol's band.
opheliajadefeldt
Oh my dog....so many women /s.......any way, its nice to see the geriatrics can still get a job , oh wait, they always get the jobs.
Leo T
Gender equality , that should be on the top of the to do list.... not
Fredrik
Wait a second here... Is this how democracy works? Japan is a one-party, multi-faction state. The party leader has full authority to pick who he likes for the cabinet members? So, where is the democracy here? And, who tells Kishida who to pick? (I don't like this picture. Did this system change at all since the WW2 tribunal setup?)
Hito Bito
LOL. Take a good look at that photo of "Japan's new cabinet" and tell me those superannuated insider politicians are the face of "change". LOL.
Too funny, Japan.
Speed
Window dressing.
Strong supporters of the Kishida/Abe machine that actually helps no one in need.
nosuke
I’m that picture their all old age where is the young
Chibakun
What's the average age?
lunatic
Are these individuals members of the Sacred Order of the Unification Church?
Chico3
Give them another 5 or 10 years and they will add another female to the Cabinet, but doubtful.
My guess is around 65,
I told my Japanese born daughters with US citizenship that if they want any chance of a political career, they have a much better chance in the US than in Japan. My oldest daughter told me that Japanese politics is boring and hardly anything gets done right away. You can't be yourself.
Kumagaijin
50 shades of grey.
Aly Rustom
Chico3
That's probably the hidden requirement for the Cabinet - Tokyo University grad.