Ratio of women in parliament brought into focus in Japan's election

Male or female, I don't care which, if they are qualified, and I like their policies, and I think they are the right person for the job, they WILL get my vote.

The government needs to change to reflect the status that women have today. The only problem is the education system, and the old-farts that run things, do not see women as their equals, and merely tolerate their presence among them.

Those attitudes must change!

While I would love to see more female representation, I also want more qualified representation. Changes like these have to come from several different areas to actually become affective. One, it also needs to come from the top down. Abe's cabinet has one female. As for women in politics, I think we also have to try and inspire young women and girls to take on new roles in society. Here in Japan, I have noticed many teachers push women towards more typecast careers over ones of better standing. An example of this would be the High School attached to the University I teach. One of my students speaks Japanese, Korean, English, and is currently learning Chinese. Her teacher's recommendation to her was that she should become a flight attendant. I told her she should look more into a diplomatic career. Polyglots are highly sought after. A flight attendant would be a waste of her skills.

@Hello Kitty 321

it means I don’t want to see someone in the position simply because they need to meet a quota. I would like to see someone that actually and will actively want to do the job.

There are many positions that are filled or created simply to meet a quota. Sometimes the people in positions are useless and are there because they need to meet a quota.

As a black person from America, I have also seen the downside to enforcing quotas to make sure certain levels of representation are met.

Women are capable of voting, are they not? And women are allowed to vote for men, are they not?

Saying that the government is not representative of women is an insult to women and women's intelligence.

If I had to choose between my parents for who to best represent my interests, I would choose my father.

Being the same sex doesn't mean they magically represent my interests.

When I vote in elections for my own country, I choose who I think is the best person for the post. Whether the person is a woman or a man is irrelevant.

As for Japan, there is no law or rule prohibiting women from running for office. And there is no law prohibiting women from voting.

So, if there "aren't enough women in government" (not enough? is there a quota not being met?), it's partially because women are not voting for other women very often, even though they are totally free to.

And it's partially because not very many women are running for office, even though they are totally free to do that too.

Stop blaming things like this on sexism. That's shallow and simple-minded thinking. Not to mention ideologically charged thinking.

Can't people just run on policy rather than what they got between their legs?

This is not all the fault of men. There are plenty of women happy to live off their husbands instead of getting out and doing something beneficial for all women.

Equal opportunity is a good thing, but aiming for equal outcome is a big mistake.

The government needs to change to reflect the status that women have today. The only problem is the education system, and the old-farts that run things, do not see women as their equals, and merely tolerate their presence among them.

Agreed, but women also need to do their part.

While I do agree the gender of politicians should be irrelevant, women were not welcome to be politicians in Japan until a few years ago. Unfortunately, the Japanese Diet is still an old boys club and female members are not taken seriously. However, the truth is, Japanese women out perform the men in nearly every aspect of Japanese life. The outperform men in academics, sports and business management. Perhaps, the old boys are aware of this and are afraid of the capabilities of women to rule Japan and this is why they keep them on the sidelines. The Tokyo mayor Koike is a great example, especially when compared to her criminal predecessor Ishihara.

Too artificial policy won't be the better way to solve this problem. We should change the practical society first in our daily lives. From the viewpoint of old people like me, it's going better steadily, At least I don't know a young man who says "politics aren't for women."

I fully support all women who wish to take an active role in society. As Chip Star says, one of their adversaries is actually other women who simply desire a paypacket husband and oppose any change that might end benefits (yes they exist!) for housewives. Shakai hoken dependency is the big one.

For me personally, the disappointing thing is not the limited role of women with children of nursery age, but that of women with older children. Rather than screaming "more nurseries!", we should be asking why women with school-aged children cannot get out and do more. School lasts much longer than nursery, and schoolkids can walk home on their own. Older women also have much more life experiences to bring to politics than mothers of young children yet to experience the school system as a parent. Seniority matters in Japan, and it is a simple fact that older people get respected more, women included.

Female representation in Japanese politics and the standard of existing male politicians are so low that the number of women could double without any of the problems associated with positive discrimination. There will be enough capable women out there to eclipse the worst of the men.

Woman or man, it doesn’t matter. The better gets my vote. Also, Japanese women are often ok with living from their hubbys salary. Hell, my wife says, she’d like to stop working with end of 30 (we have two young children now in our mid 30s) and it’s ok. What I want so say: it will be really difficult to get an equal amount of women into parliament. Forcing something is never good. And the question is, is it really necessary? Or wouldn’t it be more necessary to instead get rid of the many oyajis, holding those woman down who choose to have an career?

What I want so say: it will be really difficult to get an equal amount of women into parliament. Forcing something is never good. And the question is, is it really necessary? Or wouldn’t it be more necessary to instead get rid of the many oyajis, holding those woman down who choose to have an career?

Who can blame the women for NOT wanting to go into public office when one of their own gets lambasted for bringing her baby into the chamber where representatives meet.

Being the target of ridicule based upon your sex is not something most people can take.

The issue of equality is only being given lip service here, and women themselves have to take a part in making changes!

No arguments. Just downvotes.

Let me guess... women?

Can't people just run on policy rather than what they got between their legs?

No they can't. Because ttheir sense of entitlement diminishes common sense.

Why are they shut out of the discussion?

Because it’s nonsense.

No arguments. Just downvotes. Let me guess... women?

well there you have it right there, womens votes outnumber men, funny how democracy works.

I laugh at these little men that think theyre somehow superior to women and women are their subordinates. LOL

> This article and subsequent comments imply that there are only 2 genders that deserve consideration.

Where is the discussion about each of the LGBTQI..... genders getting representation in parliament?

Why are they shut out of the discussion?

@ BurningBush,

Kanako Otsuji 尾辻 かな子 Is an LGBTQI and in the Diet House of Councillors. LGBTQI aren't being "shut out" as you claim. More and more LGBTQI and women Candidates are entering Japanese Japanese Diet, please dont claim about "discrimination ".

women have shown to have at least the same intelligence as men, women are more than half the Japanese population yet theyre not represented as such. The mindset that women are somehow not suited to politics or subordinated to men has to change.

I agree that men and women have similar intelligence, but they have on average different interests.

So if they force an equal representation from far fewer female applicants, the outcome will not be good.

Yubaru

I am 100% FOR electing the best candidate, based upon ones ideals and beliefs, without regard to that candidate's sex.

I worded my comment incorrectly. I should have started with "If you believe that electing more women is better than what is currently happening, then..."

I don't believe there should be a quota for electing a certain sex, race, ethnic background, etc.

No arguments. Just downvotes. Let me guess... women?

Only worried about people votes?

To the people who are downloading my post, are you suggesting that a male dominant parliament is better than one that is a fair representation of the people’s will?

Who wants to discuss anything with someone who only wants to argue? Not to mention this comes across more as a rhetorical question than anything else!

I don't think the number of women in Japanese parliament would matter half as much if the men in it were not all dinosaurs with antiquated ideas.

Japanese politics needs women not because men in general are bad but because the men in Japanese politics are so out of touch. I can't see how anyone can defend a system that gives us Aso and Mori in top positions.

The general public should be educated, or convinced that electing more women is better. As long as most people don't think it's best, women will continue to lose elections. I don't see why this is even a point of discussion. It's a basic idea of democracy.

A democratic system will not necessarily produce an equal number of men and women representatives. Any effort to change the balance of men to women representative ratio through any means other than general elections is not democratic.

To the people who are downloading my post, are you suggesting that a male dominant parliament is better than one that is a fair representation of the people’s will?

@JJ Jetplane

What do you mean by ' qualified representation'?

Any effort to change the balance of men to women representative ratio through any means other than general elections is not democratic.

women have shown to have at least the same intelligence as men, women are more than half the Japanese population yet theyre not represented as such. The mindset that women are somehow not suited to politics or subordinated to men has to change. That's what true democracy represents