Even before she begins her career, Shiho Umeki, 22, has always planned to reduce her work after getting married, just like her mother before her. That was until the Democratic Party of Japan won the Aug. 30 election.

The change in the political landscape has prompted her to rethink her plans because the DPJ, looking for ways to bankroll its promised generous child allowances, pledged during the campaign to ditch tax deductions for spouses.

Ending the deductions "would be a historic changeover as it will bring about a profound change in women's lifestyles," said Emiko Ochiai, a professor of family sociology at Kyoto University.