Japan’s PM Shinzo Abe embraces 'womenomics' by putting five women in his cabinet

Mr Abe has set a goal of having women in 30 per cent of leadership positions in both the private and public sectors by 2020

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (centre, front) poses with members of his new cabinet, which includes five women, following their first meeting at his official residence in Tokyo (AP)

Japan’s Prime Minister picked five women for his cabinet on Wednesday, matching the past record and sending the strongest message yet about his determination to change deep-seated views on gender and revive the economy by getting women on board as workers and leaders.

Japan has a vast pool of talented, well-educated women, but they are far under-represented in positions of power in government and corporations. Women make up 10 per cent of parliament and just 3.9 per cent of board members of listed Japanese companies, compared with 12 per cent at US corporations and 18 per cent in France.

Women in Japan have long complained about the obstacles to getting taken seriously at work, receiving equal pay for equal work, and finding childcare or helpful spouses.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe reiterated that a key part of his “Abenomics” growth strategy is making greater use of women and promoting them to leadership posts – a campaign dubbed “womenomics”, a term he has embraced. Mr Abe has set a goal of having women in 30 per cent of leadership positions in both the private and public sectors by 2020.

“Realising a society where women can shine is a challenge our cabinet has undertaken,” he said during a news conference. “I look forward to the wind of change these women will bring.”

Having five women in the 18-member cabinet is extremely rare for Japan. It matches the highest number set in 2001 under Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi. Mr Abe’s previous cabinet, dissolved earlier in the day, had two female ministers. Expanding the presence of women in a place as high-profile as the cabinet is seen as a step toward sexual equality.

Yuko Obuchi, daughter of a former prime minister, was named trade and economy minister, probably the most prominent post, and Midori Matsushima was appointed justice minister.

AP