INTERVIEW: Hiroshima Governor Urges Women-Empowering Workplaces in Local Areas

Tokyo, March 4 (Jiji Press)–Hiroshima Governor Mika Yokota has underlined the need for local communities to develop “workplaces where women can fully demonstrate their abilities” to address the issue of an increasing number of young women in the countryside moving to urban areas in recent years. The growing rural-to-urban migration comes apparently because women cannot find jobs they want in regional areas or they feel dissatisfied with traditional notions about gender roles in local communities, such as the belief that “men belong at work, and women belong at home.” In an interview with Jiji Press ahead of International Women’s Day on Sunday, Yokota said: “Stereotyped perceptions of gender roles take root early in life when people are raised hearing words like ‘feminine’ or ‘masculine.’ I hope local companies will change their mind-set so that everyone can fully demonstrate their potential.” As an immediate step that can be taken, Yokota cited allowing women to take part in ceremonies such as ribbon-cutting events, many of which are currently attended by only men. “It is important to show that both men and women are actively playing their roles,” she said. Yokota, 54, who became governor of the western Japan prefecture of Hiroshima last November, is the eighth female governor in the country on record and the third currently serving in office. Recalling her childhood in a farming community in Hiroshima, Yokota said that she was raised in the same way as her younger brother, noting that they were treated equally, regardless of gender. Still, she said she remembers being shocked and crying, seeing men sit and drink and women cook at a local gathering when she was around 9 years old. Due to her father’s job, Yokota, a native of the Hiroshima city of Kure, lived in Rio de Janeiro from the fifth grade of elementary school through the third grade of junior high school. After graduating from the University of Tokyo’s Faculty of Law, Yokota entered the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries in 1995. At the ministry, she served as head of the Young Farmers and Women Division at the Management Improvement Bureau. She then served as deputy governor of Toyama Prefecture, central Japan, and deputy governor of Hiroshima before becoming Hiroshima governor. Yokota said that she observed a significant gender gap during her role at the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. Referring to international meetings to establish food safety rules, which she attended, Yokota said she was able to build good relations with overseas participants and say what Japan should say. She said at the same time that about half of attendees from Europe and the United States were women while most Japanese participants were men. “I felt it was difficult for women, who are in the minority, to be evaluated highly (at their workplaces),” Yokota said. “I believe an ideal mechanism is one in which diverse opinions are utilized, regardless of whether they are submitted by men or women.” Asked how she felt when she was requested to run for Hiroshima governor, Yokota said that she had “no hesitation” although she carefully thought about whether she should leave the ministry and about her future life. “I (eventually) made up my mind to run (in the gubernatorial election) because it was a great opportunity for me and I was confident that I could fully deliver on the job,” Yokota said. In a message to encourage women who do not want to stand out or hesitate to take on leadership roles, Yokota said: “Give it a try first, because the experience will surely lead to your future growth. You don’t have to be perfect.” Yokota expressed hope that her example as a working woman will inspire others. “I would be happy if there are women who are encouraged by seeing me work.” END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]