Sept. 29 - Recently Ann and I hosted a reception to honor Japanese and American women in politics as part of a symposium, "Cracking the Glass Ceiling: The Evolving Role of Women in Politics," held at Sophia University. At the invitation of the U.S. Embassy, Donna Brazile, political strategist and manager of Al Gore's presidential campaign in 2000, and American University professor Barbara Palmer came to Japan to participate in the event.

We have reason to celebrate. As Susie Roos, the wife of Ambassador John Roos, pointed out in her welcoming remarks at the reception, the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives in the United States is a woman, and both Senators from her state of California are also women. In Japan a record number of women ran and won in the Aug. 30 Lower House election. There are now 54 female delegates in the Lower House and 42 in the Upper House. This number means that over 10% of Japan's Diet members are women.

However, the United States and Japan still have a long way to go. Despite making up more than half of the voting-age population, women are still underrepresented in the U.S. Congress and the Japanese Diet. Seeing the many dynamic and thoughtful women at this reception, I believe that our countries would be well served if we all continue to make efforts to increase the number of female political representatives. As Susie Roos noted, it is no accident that California, with its powerful female politicians, has some of the most family-friendly laws in the country.

Until next time,

Jim