Female Mayors and the Reorganization of Japanese Regime

Abstract

Although the female representation in Japan remains at a low level, more and more women have become governors and mayors since 2000. This paper tries to identify the reason for the increase of female governors and mayors, by investigating career paths of them and conducting a case study of two female mayors currently in office. It argues that the increase of female governors and mayors is well explained by the reorganization of Japanese political and economic regime. First, the increasing relevance of care policies, in combination with the decentralization of power to local governments, has enhanced the legitimacy of female political representation. Second, Japan’s labor market characterized by gender-based dualism has produced two types of career paths to female governors and mayors: working as public servants (or taking a few other professional jobs requiring licenses) on the one hand, and becoming local assembly members after engaging in community activities on the other.