Japan: Country Profile
1/45 of Russia, 1/25
of China, USA
Approximately equal
to California

Area

377,835km² 60th

Population (2006)

127,767,944 10th

Population density (2006)

337 per km² 32nd

GDP (2006)

US$4.9911 trillion 2nd

GDP per capita (2006)

US$37,566 15th

Global ranking of GDP per capita
1 Luxembourg 2 Norway 3 Switzerland 4 Iceland
5 Ireland 6 Denmark 7 Sweden 8 USA
9 Qatar 10 Austria 11 Finland 12 Netherlands
13 UK 14 Belgium 15 Japan 16 France 17
Germany
18 Canada 19 Australia 20 Italy(C) Kuniko INOGUCHI

Globalranking ofPopulation
1 China
2 India
3 USA
4 Indonesia
5 Brazil
6 Pakistan
7 Russia
8
Bangladesh
9 Nigeria
10 JapanGlobalranking of
GDP
1 USA
2 Japan
3 Germany
4 England
5 France
6 China
7 Italy
8 Spain
9 Canada
10 Russia

Compiled from data obtained from Cabinet, Ministry of Internal Affairs,and Ministry of Health Labour and Welfare1Population of Japan
Projections indicate that Japan's population will rank 16th in the world in 2050,
having ranked 10th in 2006, and 5th in 1950.
Population ranking per country (x1000 persons)

1950

2000

2050（projected ）2025（projected）

1.China

554,760

China

1,298,848

China

1,441,426

India

1,592,704

2.India

357,561

India

1,065,071

India

1,395,496

China

1,392,307

3.USA

157,813

USA

293,028

USA

350,103

USA

394,976

4. Russia

102,702

Indonesia

238,453

Indonesia

263,746

Pakistan

304,700

5. Japan

83,625

Brazil

184,101

Pakistan

229,353

Indonesia

284,640

6. Indonesia

79,538

Pakistan

159,196

Brazil

227,930

Nigeria

258,108

7.Germany

68,376

Russia143,782

193,752

Brazil

253,105

8. Brazil

53,975

141,340

190,287

49,816137,253

Mexico129,381

Banglades
hCongo242,937

9. UK

Banglades
hNigeria

Banglades
hNigeria

10. Italy

47,104

Japan

127,333

Russia129,230

Ethiopia

170,190

11. France

41,829Mexico104,960

Japan

124,819

Mexico139,015

12. Bangladesh

41,783

Philippines

86,242Ethiopia

118,354

Philippines

127,068

13.Ukraine

37,298Vietnam

82,690Philippines

109,084

Uganda126,950

14. Pakistan

36,944Germany

82,425

Vietnam

104,343

Egypt

125,916

15. Nigeria

32,769Egypt

76,117

Congo

103,224

Vietnam

116,654

16. Spain

28,009Iran

69,019Egypt

101,092Japan

112,198(C) Kuniko INOGUCHI

177,271

Data: National Institute of Population and Social Security Research2Japan s Economic Strength
Japan's GDP is currently the 2nd highest in the world after the United States. In the year 2020, this position
is not expected to change but the gap between Japan and third-highest China will narrow.
Real GDP per country（x US$1 billion）

2005

2020（projected）

USA

11,049USA

16,545

Japan

4,978

Japan

6,089

Germany

1,959

China

5,779

China

1,893

Germany

2,551

UK

1,628

UK

2,328

France1,429France

1,860

Italy

1,136

India

1,774

Canada

822

Italy

1,409

Spain

681

Canada1,194

Brazil671

South Korea

1,167

India

655

Brazil1,125South Korea

639

Mexico1,122

Mexico

635

Spain

972

Australia

453

Argentina

708

Netherlands

391

Australia

700(C) Kuniko INOGUCHI

Global Insight (World Maeket Monitor)より作成

3

Projections of Labour Force Populations
Ratios of working populations (the population 15 - 64 years) to total populations show that a rapid decline inJapan's working population is predicted. Meanwhile, the proportion of the working population relative to thetotal population is predicted to rise in China, India, and Brazil.
Labour force population as ratio of total population（projected）(C) Kuniko INOGUCHI

Data "World Population Projections", UN4

Trends of Japanese Companies
The number of Japanese companies entering the “Top 500 Global Companies” compiled by Fortune Magazine dropped
by 50% from 141 companies in 1995 to 70 companies in 2005.
Fortune Magazine’s “Global Top 500” by country(C) Kuniko INOGUCHI

Data: Fortune Magazine

5

Population of Japan
Japan's population trends based on basic resident registers shows that Japan's population as of March 31, 2007 was 127,053,471, after asecond consecutive year of negative growth. In 2005, the population fell for the first time from the natural cause of deaths exceedingbirths due to the influence of low fertility. However, due to a significant recovery of the number of births in 2006, natural causes
accounted for an increase in population of 10,743. Meanwhile, social causes such as movement in and out of the country accounted fornegative growth of 12,297 leading to a net decrease of 1554.

Total population

Net population change and natural population change

Number of births and total fertility rate(C) Kuniko INOGUCHI

6

Total Fertility Rate, Number of Births
Both the total fertility rate and the number of births have seen a downward trend since the second baby boom between 1971 and 1974. The
trend reversed in 2006 when the number of births reached 1,112,278, which was an increase by 32,041 from the previous year. This is the firstincrease in 12 years since 1994 when the number of births increased by 51,672.
3,000,000

5.0

1947〜50 1st Baby Boom
TFR
4.32
Births 2,696,638 ※1950

Numbers of Births; Left Scale
Total Fertility Rate(TFR); Right Scale

2,500,000

1966
Year of Hinoeuma

1971〜74 2nd Baby Boom
TFR
2.14
Births 2,091,983 ※1973

2006
TFR 1.32
Births 1,112,278

2,000,000

2005
TFR 1.26
Births 1,090,237
1995〜99
Angel Plan

1,500,000

4.0

3.0

2000〜04
New Angel Plan
2.0

1,000,000

Rank
1
2
3
4
5
6

500,000

Rank of TFR Rise
previous by year
Year
1967
0.65
1965
0.09
1958
0.07
2006
0.06
1964
0.05
1994
0.04

1.0

2005〜09
Child/ Child care support Plan

2006〜
New Policies to Cope with the Declining Birthrate
0.0

0
1950

55

1960

65

1970

75

1980

(C) Kuniko INOGUCHI

85

1990

95

2000

"Population Vital Statistics" Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare

2006

7

Trends of Population by Age Structure
If the declining birth rate continues, the total population of Japan will be 100 million by 2045. In 1967, when the
population reached 100 million, the aged ratio (% of population aged over 65) was only 6.6 % whereas in 2045, it isestimated to reach 38.2%.

World Aged Ratio
2006・・・ 7.3％
2050・・・16.2％(C) Kuniko INOGUCHI
Source: “Population Projections for Japan" National Institute of Population and Social Security8

Total Fertility Rate Trends in Major Countries
The total fertility rates of countries in developed regions such as the West (including Japan) have fallen below the level required for
population replacement (approx. 2.1).
Total fertility rate in 2004
(Japan: 2006)

USA

2.05

France1.90

Sweden

1.75

UK

1.74

Germany

1.37

Italy

1.33

Japan

1.32

Data: Japan: "Population Trend Statistics", Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare, U.S.: Department of Health and Human
Services "National Vital Statistics Report", other: U.N."Demographic Yearbook", Council of Europe "Recent demographic
Developments in Europe", E.U.,"Eurostat".

(C) Kuniko INOGUCHI9

Trends in Total Fertility Rates in Major Asian Countries
In Asia, although there are countries with high fertility rates (Laos: 4.7, Pakistan: 4.1, Cambodia: 4.0), declines in total fertility
rates are occurring in the major countries.

Total fertility rates(Japan 2006, Thailand 2004, others 2005)

Japan

1.32

South Korea

1.08

Hong Kong

0.97

Thailand

1.90

Singapore

1.24

Taiwan1.12

Data：United Nations"Demographic Yearbook", However, The data for Japan: Ministry of Health, Welfare, and Labour "Population Trends Statistics", Korea: Korean Statistics Agency, Hong
Kong (post 1975): Hong Kong Bureau of Statistics, Thailand: 2005 is 2004 data. Data for Thailand from 1995: Thai Royal Bureau of Statistics, 2004 from WHO. Singapore: Singapore
bureau of statistics, Taiwan: Domestic Affairs Department.
(C) Kuniko INOGUCHI

10

Relationship between Female Labor Force Participation Rate and TFR
The female labor force participation rates and total fertility rates in 24 OECD countries indicate that, as of 2000,
countries with more women in the labor force achieve higher total fertility rates.

Source: "Annual Report on the State of the Formation of a Gender Equal Society"Cabinet Office, 2005

(C) Kuniko INOGUCHI

11

Men’s Involvement in Household Chores and Child Care
Men in Japan spend less time on household chores and child care compared to men in other countries. Less time spentby men on household tasks and child care is correlated with a lower fertility rate.
Hours spent by men on household chores and child care inhousehold with child under age 5(hours)
0.0
1.0
2.0
3.0
4.0

Japan

0.4 0.4

Canada

1.5

UK

1.5

Sweden1.2

Germany

1.0

Australia

0.9

USA

0.6

Italy

0.6

Hours spent by men on household chores/child care and fertility rate

Child Care
Other
2.4

1.6

2.5

2.5

2.0

2.0

1.2

Source: "Annual Report on the State of the Formation of a Gender Equal Society"Cabinet Office, 2005

12(C) Kuniko INOGUCHI

12

Process Leading to “On New Policies to Cope with the Declining Birthrate”
Oct 31 2005: 3rd Koizumi Cabinet reshuffle creates firstminister solely dedicated to family policies.
Initiating the government / ruling coalition’s consultation process

18/12/2005 - 22/4/2006
Bloc meetings between Minister
Inoguchi and Prefectural governors etc.
① 18/12/2005 Kyushu: Kumamoto② 7/1/2006 Tokai, Hokuriku: Kanazawa (Ishikawa)③ 4/2/2006
Shikoku: Naruto (Tokushima)④ 12/2/2006 Kanto South: Yokohama (Kanagawa)⑤ 19/2/2006 Hokuriku: Mito (Ibaraki)⑥ 25/3/2006 Kinki: Fukui⑦ 1/4/2006
Chugoku: Hiroshima⑧ 9/4/2006
Tohoku: Yamagata⑨ 16/4/2006 Hokkaido: Sapporo⑩ 22/4/2006 Tokyo: Minato Ward

15/5/2006: Resolution of Declining Fertility Society Policy Council (chair: Chief Cabinet Minister):"On Future Policies to Cope with the Declining Birth Rate”

20/6/2006: Government resolution of Declining Fertility Society
Policy Council (chair: Prime Minister):"On New Policies to Cope with the Declining Birthrate"(C) Kuniko INOGUCHI

ComprisedComprisedofofaawide
widerange
rangeofof
policies
policiesupon
upontwo
twoaxes:axes:*Policies
tosupport*Policies to supportchildrearing
childrearing*Reformofworkingpractices*Reform of working practices

13

New Policies to Cope With the Declining BirthrateChild-raising support measures
Ⅰ Newborn and infant stage（from pregnancy and birth through to the nursingof infants）① Improvement of procedures for the lump-sum allowance for childbirth andnursing② Reduction of the cost burden for medical expenses during pregnancy③ Expansion of public financial support for fertility treatment④ Ensuring thorough usage of and improvement in conditions for paid leave
during initial stages of pregnancy⑤ Enhancement of obstetric medical services through the employment of
more obstetricians, etc.
⑥ Establishment of an extra allowance for infants within the child-support
allowance system⑦ Creation of childcare support network, including home visits to families
engaged in the early stages of raising a family
Ⅱ Stage up to school entry① Enhancement of centers for child-raising support in the community,
targeting all families② Further promotion of Zero Waiting List Campaign③ Enhancement of childcare for sick and recuperating children, and children
with disabilities, etc.
④ Enhancement of the pediatric healthcare system⑤ Look into revising the Law for Promotion of Measures to Support theDevelopment of the Next Generation, including the announcement of an
Action Plan
⑥ Enhancement and Dissemination of system of child-care leave and reduced
working hours⑦ Promotion of childcare service provision to employees, including childcare
facilities established within offices⑧ Promotion of measures to prevent child accidents⑨ Enhancement of efforts to reduce the burden on parents or guardians forpre-school education
Ⅲ Primary school stage① Promotion of the After School Children’s Plan in elementary schools
nationwide② Implementation of further safety measures for children while at school or on
their commute to or from school, including the introduction of school buses
Ⅳ Junior high, high school, and university stage① improvement of scholarships, etc.
② Recommendation of student babysitters, etc.

Reform of working practices① Employment assistance measures for young people→Strengthening career development education to prevent youth frombecoming ‘permanent part-timer” and ‘NEET’ (Not in Education,
Employment or Training)→Support to ‘older’ permanent part-timers to become formal employee② Promotion of equal treatment for part-timers→Strengthened measures including in setting enabling legal frameworks③ Assistance measures for continuing employment or reemployment for
women→Measures to encourage women to take maternity/child care leave and tohelp them balance work and child rearing, including shorter working
hours→Vocational and skills training for women who seek reemployment④ Promotion of corporate efforts for child-raising support→Funding support to companies that deploy child-rearing support system⑤ Review of working practices, including revision of long working hours→Strengthened measures including in setting enabling legal frameworks⑥ Promotion of a joint public-private movement to jointly promote childraising assistance, including reviews of working practices→Promotion of good “Work-Life balance”

Other important areas① Consideration of a taxation system designed to assist those engaged inchild- raising, etc.
② Promotion of foster parent and adoption system, including publicity
activities to raise awareness③ Strengthening of measures to prevent child abuse and measures to support
children in care
④ Promotion of food education⑤ Assistance for family homes, and for situations in which three generationsof one family live together or in close proximity, etc.

(C) Kuniko INOGUCHI

14

Number of Marriages and Births
Since Dr. Kuniko Inoguchi, MP, was appointed as the first full-fledged minister of state to cope with the declining
birthrate in October 2005, the number of marriages has been increasing. In 2006, there were 1,122,278 births, an increase
from the previous year of 32,041. The downward trend was reversed. The number increased for the first time in 12 years
since 1994 when the number of births had increased by 51,672.

Number of Births

Number of Marriages
100,000

755,000

98,27696,231

96,921

95,817
95,936750,000

95,00095,095

95,27592,047

Sum for a year up to the current month

97,041

96,853

96,04894,302

94,926
94,672
94,93093,124
92,61893,016
93,71591,77089,037745,000

93,322

90,77990,14389,70590,00090,745

85,10188,75889,41588,001740,000

86,35285,00084,20383,516735,000
80,000JanFeb

730,000

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Total Fertility Rate, Number of Births
2006

1971
TFR 2.16
TFR（Right Scale）

2,500,000

725,000

Births2,000,000

1,500,000

720,000

1989
TFR 1.53

TFR
Births
2005 TFR
Births1.30?
1,122,278
1.26
1,090,237

2.5

2.0
2002
TFR 1.32

2nd Baby Boom（1971〜1974）

1.5

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9101112 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1011121 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
2005

2006

2007

1,000,000

1.0
1970

Source: "Population Vital Statistics" Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare(C) Kuniko INOGUCHI

1980

1990

2000

2006

15

The East Asia Gender Equality Ministerial Meeting (1)HOD
HODofof16
16countries
countriesandand22international
internationalorganizationsorganizations
Australia,
Australia,Brunei,
Brunei,Cambodia,
Cambodia,China,
China,India,
India,Indonesia,
Indonesia,Japan,
Japan,
Korea,
Korea,Laos,
Laos,Malaysia,
Malaysia,Myanmar,
Myanmar,New
NewZealand,
Zealand,Philippines,
Philippines,
Singapore,
Singapore,Thailand,
Thailand,Vietnam,
Vietnam,UNDP,
UNDP,UNESCAPUNESCAP

z
z
z
z
z
z
z

The East Asia Gender Equality Ministerial Meeting was held on June 30 and July 1, 2006 in Tokyo, Japan.
The Meeting was Chaired by Dr. Kuniko Inoguchi, Minister of State for Gender Equality and Social Affairs ofJapan.
This was the first East Asia ministerial-level meeting aimed to discuss the promotion of gender equality andthe empowerment of women in this region.
The Meeting was attended by 16 countries of East Asia and 2 international organizations.
The Meeting unanimously adopted the Tokyo Joint Ministerial Communiqué which, among others, decided
to continue the Ministerial Meeting process on an annual basis.
Encouraged by the success of the East Asia Gender Equality Ministerial Meeting hosted by the Government ofJapan, the Meeting resolved to continue the Ministerial Meeting process on an annual basis.
The meeting agreed that the next meeting will be held in India in 2007 and in Republic of Korea in 2008.

(C) Kuniko INOGUCHI

16

The East Asia Gender Equality Ministerial Meeting (2)Tokyo Joint Ministerial Communiqué (Main Points)•••

Despite differences in economic development levels and cultural/religious and political contexts, anamazing level of consensus was achievable on points including the need to invigorate national
machineries and local focal points for overcoming feminization of poverty and stereo-typical genderroles and socialization patterns, to build capacities for gender statistics and sex-disaggregated data, topromote gender sensitive budgeting to allow the consideration of gender perspectives into macroeconomic and micro-economic frameworks.
The Meeting agreed to share best practices
for making progress towards women’s
empowerment and bringing aboutsocial transformation.
The Meeting agreed that recognitionof women’s human rights, the promotionof their participation and leadership indecision-making at all levels and equal
partnership between women and men are
prerequisite to achieve gender equality
and the advancement of women.
The Meeting noted the necessity ofconcerted efforts, not only to benefit
women but also to build a society thatis equitable and sustainable.
17(C) Kuniko INOGUCHI

17

Decision-making Process: "New Policies to Cope with the Declining Birthrate"
Changes in domestic and international situation.
Demands of the people.
Change of the times.

Diet enacts basic law: Basic Law on Measures for a Society with a Declining Birthrate
Society （Effective Sept 1, 2003, law no. 133）

Minister formulates comprehensive policies
Bloc meetings between Minister Inoguchi
and regional government chiefs① 18/12/2005 Kyushu: Kumamoto② 7/1/2006 Tokai, Hokuriku: Kanazawa (Ishikawa)③ 4/2/2006
Shikoku: Naruto (Tokushima)④ 12/2/2006 Kanto South: Yokohama (Kanagawa)⑤ 19/2/2006 Hokuriku: Mito (Ibaraki)⑥ 25/3/2006 Kinki: Fukui⑦ 1/4/2006
Chugoku: Hiroshima⑧ 9/4/2006
Tohoku: Yamagata⑨ 16/4/2006 Hokkaido: Sapporo⑩ 22/4/2006 Tokyo: Minato Ward

Government resolution and Cabinet resolution by council chaired by Prime Minister convened at PM's official
residence: “Declining Fertility Society Policy Council” (Chair: Prime Minister)

Basic plan resolution: “New Measures to Cope with the Declining Birthrate”(20/6/200)
Implementation of policies through strengthened budgetary measures
Total budget for declining birthrate society related policies for 2007: 1.7064 trillion yen
Increase of 187.4 billion yen (12.3%) (C)compared
to previous year's budget of 1.519 trillion yen 18
Kuniko INOGUCHIFramework for Gender Equality in Japan
1946 The Constitution of Japan
Article 14: All of the people are equal under the law and there shall be no discrimination in political, economic
or social relations because of race, creed, sex, ･･･
1986 Law for Equal Employment Opportunity of Men and Women
1999 Basic Law for a Gender-Equal Society enacted with unanimous approval of Diet.
2000 Basic Plan for Gender Equality
First comprehensive and cross-cutting policy planning to enhance gender equality.
2005 Second Basic Plan for Gender Equality→ Promotion of comprehensive and systematic measures.
/Expand women’s participation in policy decision-making process.
(For women, fill 30% of the leadership positions in all spheresof society by the year 2020.)/Secure equal work opportunities and treatment for men and women.
・Revision of the Equal Employment Opportunity Law.
/Eliminate all forms of violence against women.
2006 Revision of the Equal Employment Opportunity Law/Introduction of the concept of and measures to eliminate indirect discrimination.
(C) Kuniko INOGUCHI

Council for Gender Equality

19

The Basic Law for a Gender-Equal Society
Five Basic principles(Article 3) Respect for the 1946 The Constitution of Japan
Formation of a gender-equal society shall be promoted based on respect for the human rights of women and men.
(Article 4) Consideration of social systems or practices
Care should be taken so that social systems and practices have as neutral an impact as possible on selecting social activities.
(Article 5) Joint participation in planning and deciding policies, etc.
Formation of a gender-equal society shall be promoted based on securing opportunities for women and men to participate jointly
as equal partners in the society in planning and deciding policies of the State or local governments, or policies of private bodies.
(Article 6)Compatibility of activities in family life and other activities
Formation of a gender-equal society shall be promoted so that women and men can perform their roles smoothly as household
members in home-related activities.
(Article 7) International cooperation
In consideration of the close relationship between the internal promotion of the formation of a gender-equal society and efforts by
the international community, formation of a gender-equal society shall be promoted based on international cooperation.

(C) Kuniko INOGUCHI

20

Basic Plan for Gender Equality (Dec 27, 2005)
Expand women’s participation in decision-making processes
zPromote efforts to expand women’s participation in every field, sothat women will take at least 30% of the leadership positions in all
fields of society by 2020.
zEncourage voluntary positive action to expand women’s
participation in every field of society.
Challenge support for female workers
zPromote challenge support measures and create a one-stop
information service.
zEnhance support measures to assist unemployed women to return towork (e.g., to be re-employed or start a business).
zEncourage companies to openly offer full-time and other positions
to female workers who had left their prior jobs for child rearing orother reasons.
Secure equal opportunities and treatment between men andwomen in the field of employmentzExamine measures to ensure substantial equal opportunities in thefield of employment, and promote equal employment opportunities
and treatment on the job.

Efforts to promote gender equality in new fields
zPromote gender equality in new fields (e.g., science and technology,
disaster prevention, disaster recovery, regional development,
community revitalization, tourism, and environment) that require
new approaches to achieve gender equality.
zExpand employment opportunities for female researchers, andprovide support measures to balance work and family.
zFormulate disaster prevention measures to address the different
needs of women and men.
zHighlight successful examples of regional development in which
women have participated.
zExpand women’s participation in the field of environmental
conservation.

Promote appropriate medicines that address the specific needs ofwomen and men
zDisseminate knowledge about appropriate medicines that addresses
the specific needs of women and men among medical professionals,
as well as citizens.
Gender-equal society for men

Support the efforts of men and women to harmonize work with
their family and community life, and review the types of
employment
zConduct a significant and specific review of the types of
employment for women and men to assist them in balancing workand family and/or community life.
Promote gender equality through the enrichment of educationand learning

Eliminate all forms of violence against women
zPromote measures to protect and support victims of violence.
zPromote measures to prevent violence against women.

Related measures will be formulated and implemented from agender-equal perspective to promote gender equality in all fields(C) Kuniko INOGUCHI21

Gender Empowerment Measure and Human Development Index
Japan ranks 54th out of 93 countries, the lowest among developed countries, in the GEM (Gender Empowerment Measure) thatmeasures women’s participation in political and economic life as well as in decision-making processes. On the other hand, Japanranks 8th out of 177 countries in the HDI (Human Development Index) that looks at important dimensions of people’s well-being andhuman development.

HDI (Human Development Index)

GEM (Gender Empowerment Measure)
GEM measures to what
degree women take part inpolitical and economic lifeand participate in decisionmaking. It tracks the share ofseats in parliament held by
women; of female legislators,
senior officials andmanagers; and of female
professional and technicalworkers; and the genderdisparity in earned income.

13 Austria
22 Portugal
23 Trinidad and Tobago
24 Costa Rica
25 Lithuania
26Cuba27Switzerland
28Israel
71 Russia …

1

Norway0.910

2

Sweden0.906

3Finland0.887

4

Denmark

0.875

5

Iceland0.862

6

Netherlands

0.859

7

Belgium

0.850

8Australia

0.847

9

Germany

0.831

10Canada0.820

Measures well-being ofpeople and the level ofhuman development in acountry by looking at life
expectancy, education(adult literacy and grossenrolment rate) andstandard of living(measured by purchasing
power parity).

1

Iceland0.968

2

Norway0.968

3Australia

0.962

4

Canada0.961

5

Ireland0.959

6

Sweden0.956

7

Switzerland

0.955

8

Japan

0.953

9

Netherlands

0.953

10

France

0.952

12

USA

0.951

14

UK

0.783

15

USA

0.762

18

France

0.718

16

UK

0.946

21

Italy

0.693

20

Italy

0.941

54

Japan

0.557

22

Germany

0.935(C) Kuniko INOGUCHI

Source: “Human Development Report” UNDP, 2007

22

The State of Women’s Participation by Field
Although women's participation in each field is steadily expanding, the percentage of women remains
low. It is necessary to promote initiatives further still.
○ House of Representatives: 45 of 480 (9.4%) (9/2007)○ House of Councillors:

・131st of 188 nations (data: Inter-Parliamentary Union ＨＰ2007)
・1.9％（10/1952) ⇒ 45 members=9.4％（9/2007）

43 of 242 (17.8%) (9/2007)○ State deliberative councils:

32.3% (2007)○ Regional legislative assemblies: 9.4% (2006)

・6.0％（4/1953）⇒

17.8％（9/2007）

・2.6％（1975）
・4/2006 New target by Headquarters for Promotion of Gender Equality
Members： at least 40% (men and women) of total members by 2020
33.3% female members by end of 2010
・ Prefectures：27.1％、City, wards, towns, villages: 21.9％(2007）○ Management positions in business: 10.7% (2006)

・1.2％（1975）
・Prefectural：7.3％、local：11.0％、town/village：6.9％（2006）○ State officials (management): 1.8% (2007)

・USA：42.5％、Germany：37.3％、Sweden：29.9％（2005）
・142 of 8,456 persons○ Legal profession Judiciary: 14.6%, Lawyers: 13.6%, ・USA: 26.3％ (2005)、France：14.0％（2003)
Germany：15.9％（2002）
Prosecutors: 10.9% (2007)
・Judges: 2.1％、Lawyers: 3.3％、Prosecutors：1.0％（1977）○ Researchers:

11.9% (2006)○ Successful candidates of national exam for
medical practitioners: 33.4% (2007)

・7.9％（1992）
・France：27.5％、UK：26.0％、Germany：15.5％（2000）
・19.2％（1991）○ Women leaving employment upon 1st birth: 67.4% (2001)(C) Kuniko INOGUCHI23

Women’s Participation in Politics
Women hold 12.2% of seats in the National Diet (88 out of 722 seats). In the House of Representatives, the share is 9.4%
(45 out of 480) and in the House of Councilors the share is 17.8% (43 out of 242). Among political parties, the Liberal
Democratic Party holds the largest number of women MPs in both Houses.
Women

Diet Member(722people)

12.2%(88people)

87.8% (634people)

Member of the House ofRepresentatives(480people)

9.4%(45people)

90.6% (435people)

Member of the House ofCounsillors(242people)

17.8%(43people)
0%

10%

Men

82.2% (199people)
20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

Number of Female Diet members

90%

100%

March 2007

House of Representatives

House of Councilors

Total

Liberal Democratic Party

27

12

39

Democratic Party

9

21

30

Komeito4

5

9Communist Party

2

1

3

Social Democratic Party

2

1

3

Other

1

3

4

Data: House of Representatives(C) Kuniko INOGUCHI

24

Koizumi Taking Leadership in Promoting Gender Equality
In the general election of September 2005 held under then-Prime Minister Koizumi, the share of seats in the House ofRepresentatives held by women reached a historic high.
All of the 16 women who ran for the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) were successful and the number of female MPs in
the LDP marked a historic high at 26.
50

9.4%

10.0%

9.0%
8.4%

Ratio: Women's Member of the House of Representatives (Right Scale)
44

40

45
8.0%

7.3% 7.1%

39
Women's Member of the House of Representatives (LDP)

35 34*LDP was formed in 1955

30

6.0%

Women's Member of the House of Representatives
4.6%
20
2.7%

2.6%

2.4%

15
10

12

1.9% 1.9%
9

9

1.7%
8

Data: House of Representatives

2.3%

2.2%

11 1.5% 1.5% 1.4% 1.6% 1.4%

3
0

4.0%

23

3.2%

7

7

2

2

7
3

8
3

7
2

1.8%
1.2%

11
9

6
1

1

(C) Kuniko INOGUCHI

26

14
1.6%
8

1.4%

12

27
2.0%

7

10
1

9

4
0.0%

25

Women in Politics (2007 Local Election)
In the local elections held in April 2007, 367 women (9.7% of the total number of candidates) ran for prefectural assembly seats in 44
prefectures and 197 women (7.5 % of the total number of winners) won. It marked a record high in terms of both the actual number and thepercentage. Women held 19% of assembly seats in Nagano prefecture (11 seats), which was the largest share. Fukui prefecture was the only
prefecture that did not have any successful women candidates.
Women hold a historic high 223 seats (8%) in the prefectural assemblies altogether, including the prefectures where the election did not takeplace.
Women won 1,125 seats (14%) in city councils, 215 seats (25.6%) in city assemblies and 476 seats (8.4%) in town and village assemblies. A
woman candidate was elected Governor in Hokkaido, and three women were elected mayors.
14.0%

14.0%

12.0%

Historical trends for women elected in Local Assembly
10.0%

city assembly
8.4%
8.0%

7.5%
6.0%

prefectural assembly
4.0%

2.0%

town and village assembly
0.0%
1947

1951

1955

1959

1963

1967

1971

1975

1979

(C) Kuniko INOGUCHI

1983

1987

1991

1995

1999

2003

2007

26

Women in Politics (The 21st House of Councillors Election)
91 women (24.1% of all candidates) ran for office in the 21st House of Councillors Election on July 29 2007. 26 women(21.5%) were elected. The number of women elected in this election marked a historic high.
As a result of the election, 17.3% of the House of Councillors’ seats are now held by women, marking a 4.5% increase
from pre-election and 2nd largest in election history.
The major reason for the advancement of women in the election result can be explained by the fact that the political parties
emphasized issues that have a direct impact on voter’s lives, such as a response to the decreasing birth rate.
Number and ratio of women elected (House of Councillors)30

21.5% 25.0%

25

17.5%

20

Woman Elected

15
10
5
0

7.8%

6.3%6.3% 7.1%

4.0% 3.8%
3.9%
10
10
8
5
5

6.4% 6.2% 6.3% 7.1%

7.9%7.9%

22

9

8

5

8

8

9

10

20

18

13

10

15.0%
26

21

4.0%
8

20.0%

16.7%15.9%
14.9%
12.4%
10.3%

Ratio of Woman Elected（ Right Scale）

10.0%

15

5.0%
0.0%

1947 1950 1953 1956 1959 1962 1965 1968 1971 1974 1977 1980 1983 1986 1989 1992 1995 1998 2001 2004 2007

Women members in the House of Representatives and House of Councillors
20.0%

17.5%

House of Councilors

17.5%

17.3%
16.9%

16.7%15.9%
14.9%

15.0%

12.4%

12.5%
10.0%

7.8%
8.4%
4.0% 3.8%
1.9%

7.5%
5.0%
2.5%
0.0%
64
91

3.2% 2.6%
74 74 94 05 25
91 91 91 91 91

6.3% 6.3% 7.1%

3.9%
1.7%
35 1.9%3 5
91 591 591

6
5
9
1

6.4% 6.2% 6.3%

7.9%
7.1%

10.3%
7.3% 7.1%
7.9%

4.0%
1.5% 1.5% 1.4% 1.6% 1.4% 1.2% 2.2%
2.4%

1.8%

8
5
9
1

0
8
9
1

9
5
9
1

0
6
9
1

2
6
9
1

3
6
9
1

5
6
9
1

7
6
9
1

8
9
1
2
4
6
7
9
0
6
6
7
7
7
7
7
7
8
9
9
9
9
9
9
9
9
1 (C)
1 Kuniko1 1 1INOGUCHI
1 1 1 9
1

3
8
9
1

1.4%
1.6%
38
91

68
91

09
91

29
91

9.4%
9.2%

4.6%

2.3% 2.7%

98
91

9.0%

39
91

House ofRepresentatives
59
91

69
91

89
91

00
02

10
02

30
02

40
02

50
02

60
02

70
02

27

Analysis of 21st House of Councillors Election Results (1)Voting for the 21st election of the House of Councillors took place on the 29th of July and by the morning of the 30th , all 121 seats for reelection had been decided.
The 64 seats the Liberal Democratic Party contested for re-election dropped significantly to 37 seats, a crushing defeat 2nd only to therecord worst 36 seats won in the 1989 election. Even when added to the seats not contested for re-election, the party has only 83 seats, thelowest since the formation of the Liberal Democratic Party. In contrast, the Democratic Party of Japan won 60 seats, the highest since theParty's formation, becoming the strongest party in the House of Councillors.
The New Komeito Party won 2 and lost 3 seats in electoral districts and was pressed to win 7 proportional seats, equaling the 1998 record
low of 9 seats. The Communist Party of Japan won 3 seats, all proportional, and the Socialist Party of Japan won 2 seats, giving theimpression that the era of two large parties has arrived. People's New Party won a seat each in both electoral districts and in proportional
representation. New Party Nippon won 1 seat having backed candidates for proportional representation only.

(C) Kuniko INOGUCHI

28

Analysis of 21st House of Councillors Election Results (2)As each faction of the Liberal Democratic party lost or maintained its strength in the House of Councillors election, theMachimura faction emerged as the strongest faction in both the House of Representatives and the House of Councillors. The
Tsushima faction, which had been the strongest faction in the House of Councillors only managed to produce 4 successful
candidates, including newcomers. Meanwhile, the Machimura faction produced 14 successful candidates, shooting ahead tobecome the most powerful faction. Though the Koga faction, the 3rd largest, produced 3 successful candidates, the Yamasaki
faction produced 0 and the Ibumi faction produced 2. The Komura, Tanigaki, and Aso factions maintained their present strength.

(C) Kuniko INOGUCHI

29

Analysis of 21st House of Councillors Election Results (3)The average age of successful candidates in the House of Councillors election was 51.3, 2.4 years younger than the previous
election in 2003 (53.7 years). The youngest successful candidate was 30 years old and the oldest was 73. By generation, the mostprevalent age-bracket in the previous election was 50-59 (41 successful candidates), yet at this election the 40s age-bracket
emerged as highest (44). By geographical and political origins, successful candidates from the world of local politics were mostprominent (35). This is an increase on the previous election (28). Meanwhile, candidates originating from the central bureaucracy
decreased from 24 successful candidates to 14.
This appears to reflect two things. First, at the stage of giving party backing to candidates, a fruition of the practice of unearthingtalent who make the most of their experience in the world of local politics. Second, alongside the development of regional
devolution, the expectation of voters that local voices will reach the world of central government politics directly.
Agestructure of
successful
candidates

Backgroundofsuccessful
candidates(C) Kuniko INOGUCHI

2004

2007

30

Kuniko INOGUCHI, Ph.D.

Member, House of Representatives
Member, Science Council of Japan
Former Minister of State for Gender Equality and Social Affairs
Former Ambassador to Geneva on Disarmament Affairs
1952 May 3, Born in Chiba Prefecture
1982 Ph.D. in Political Science, Yale University
1977 M.A. in Political Science, Yale University
1975 B.A. Department of Foreign Languages, Sophia University

Room541, First Member’s Office, House ofRepresentatives 2-2-1, Nagatacho,
Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-8981,Japan
Phone：03-3508-7271 Fax：03-3508-3130
E-mail inoguchi@kunikoinoguchi.jp
E-mail (Office) network@kunikoinoguchi.jp
URL http://www.kunikoinoguchi.jp/

1981~90 Associate Professor, Faculty of Law, Sophia University
1983~4 Visiting Fellow, Center for International Affairs, Harvard
University
1985 Visiting Professor, Department of Political Science,
Australian National University
1990~2006 Professor in the Faculty of Law, Sophia University
2002~4 Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiaryof Japan to the Conference on Disarmament
2003 President, Conference on Disarmament in
Geneva, Chairperson, UN First Biennial Meeting ofStates on Small Arms and Light Weapons
2005 Executive Member, Japan Association forInternational Relations (Political Science)
2005~ present Member of the House of Representatives
2005~6 Minister of State for Gender Equality and Social Affairs
2006~ Acting Director-General, International Bureau (LDP)(C) Kuniko INOGUCHI

31