Japanese activist concerned next PM may set back Japan’s environment and gender goals

Record ID: 1639233

  • Title: Japanese activist concerned next PM may set back Japan’s environment and gender goals
  • Date: 29th September 2021
  • Summary: TOKYO, JAPAN (SEPTEMBER 29, 2021) (REUTERS) ***WARNING: CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY*** LIBERAL DEMOCRATIC PARTY (LDP) PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE FUMIO KISHIDA STANDING UP AND BOWING AS HE IS NAMED WINNER OF ELECTION KISHIDA PRESENTING BOUQUET OF FLOWERS TO SUGA / SUGA AND KISHIDA PUTTING THEIR HANDS UP TOGETHER (SOUNDBITE) (Japanese) JAPANESE YOUTH ACTIVIST, MOMOKO NOJO, SAYING: "I am concerned that Mr. (Fumio) Kishida becoming prime minister will not result in progress on gender and climate change-related (policies), or what has been achieved so far might be set back." KISHIDA WALKING TO MICROPHONE KISHIDA MAKING SPEECH (SOUNDBITE) (Japanese) JAPANESE YOUTH ACTIVIST, MOMOKO NOJO, SAYING: "I've seen him make comments that made me think he doesn't understand at all how serious climate change is so I'm very worried. Also, Kishida had a cautious stance during the LDP election on policies related to gender and diversity such as married couples having different surnames and same-sex marriage in Japan, and I don't see how he would advance (these policies). Things might change later on but among the four candidates who ran for the LDP election, he had a rather conservative stance, so I am concerned that this candidate was chosen." KISHIDA MAKING SPEECH (SOUNDBITE) (Japanese) JAPANESE YOUTH ACTIVIST, MOMOKO NOJO, SAYING: "Two out of the four candidates (who ran for the LDP presidential election) being women was something I've never seen before. Since two of them were women, not just one, I think it was meaningful because their opinions gained attention not as a 'woman's' opinion but as a 'candidate's' opinion." SCREEN SHOWING PHOTOS OF FOUR CANDIDATES LDP PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE, SANAE TAKAICHI, WALKING AND BOWING TO LAWMAKERS (SOUNDBITE) (Japanese) JAPANESE YOUTH ACTIVIST, MOMOKO NOJO, SAYING: "Whatever opinions or values she has, if a woman were to become prime minister (in Japan), I think that presence will be empowering. I don't think it's good to judge what kind of opinion this person will have just because she is a woman. However, one thing I would expect (from a possible, future Japanese woman prime minister) is, since the prime minister appoints the cabinet members, I hope she will select them considering the male to female ratio so it will have balance." LAWMAKERS SEATED LDP PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE, SEIKO NODA, WALKING AND CASTING VOTE LAWMAKERS VOTING
  • Embargoed: 13th October 2021 11:36
  • Keywords: Fumio Kishida Japan ruling party LDP presidential election Liberal Democratic Party activist Momoko Nojo environment gender
  • Location: TOKYO, JAPAN
  • City: TOKYO, JAPAN
  • Country: Japan
  • Topics: Asia / Pacific,Government/Politics,Elections/Voting
  • Reuters ID: LVA001EWRTDFR
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text:Japanese youth activist Momoko Nojo said she had concerns over over Japan's gender and climate change policies, after Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) on Wednesday (September 29) anointed former foreign minister Fumio Kishida as its next leader, a move that virtually ensures he will become prime minister within days.
    "I've seen him make comments that made me think he doesn't understand at all how serious climate change is so I'm very worried," Nojo told Reuters. "Also, Kishida had a cautious stance during the LDP election on policies related to gender and diversity such as married couples having different surnames and same-sex marriage in Japan, and I didn't see how he would advance (these policies)."
    Kishida defeated former defence and foreign minister Taro Kono, seen as an outspoken maverick, in a second-round run-off vote. Two women also historically vied for the top job, including Sanae Takaichi, 60, and Seiko Noda, 61, but they dropped out after the first round.
    Nojo pointed out that Japan is not fully prepared to welcome a woman prime minister yet and the number of women in the parliament remains low.
    Kishida, who succeeds unpopular Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga who did not seek re-election as party leader after just one year in office, is almost certain to become premier at a parliamentary session on Monday (October 4) because of the LDP's majority in the lower house. He is expected to form a new cabinet and reshuffle the LDP executive in early October.
    (Production: Rikako Maruyama, Akiko Okamoto)
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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