Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Wednesday named five female lawmakers as ministers, putting his money where his mouth is on female empowerment in the workforce.
Only once before have there been five female ministers, in 2001, under reformist Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi.
Abe hopes the move will boost his Cabinet's credentials on gender diversity, win international praise and get more women to vote for the Liberal Democratic Party in nationwide local elections next spring.