Key Facts
• February 2025: Ritsuko Yoneyama, 47, elected to Hakusan City Council for the first time.
• Yoneyama, a former TV Kanazawa and Recruit employee, entered politics after 15 years in Hakusan.
• Election challenges: Limited campaign hours (until 5 PM) and financial constraints.
• Yoneyama advocates reducing financial barriers to encourage more women to run for office.
• Noriko Sakamoto, 81, has served as Noto Town Council’s sole female member for 20 years.
• Sakamoto entered politics at 62 after personal losses and topped her first election.
• Sakamoto focuses on childcare, caregiving, and post-earthquake community support.
• Both politicians highlight societal and financial obstacles for women entering politics.
• Sakamoto emphasizes the importance of “clean politics” and financial independence.
• Both believe societal change is possible if barriers for women are removed.
Summary
Marking 80 years of women’s suffrage in Japan, two female politicians from Ishikawa Prefecture share their journeys and challenges. Ritsuko Yoneyama, elected to Hakusan City Council in February 2025, overcame financial and logistical hurdles to enter politics, inspired by her community and family. She advocates for reducing financial barriers to encourage more women to run for office. Meanwhile, Noriko Sakamoto, an 81-year-old Noto Town Council member, has served for two decades, focusing on childcare, caregiving, and disaster recovery. Despite societal and financial obstacles, both women emphasize the importance of increasing female representation in politics and believe that removing these barriers can drive societal change.
