State minister Mizuho Fukushima and 22 female prefectural and municipal leaders have exchanged information on the birthrate problem and women's rights at the Cabinet Office in what was billed as the first meeting of its kind.
Those at the meeting, held Saturday in commemoration of the 30th anniversary of the adoption of a convention on the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women, included Hokkaido Gov. Harumi Takahashi, Yamagata Gov. Mieko Yoshimura and Okinawa Mayor Mitsuko Tomon.
"Female political leaders are role models for all advanced women in society. I want to increase their level of participation in the political field and in decision making," said Fukushima, leader of the Social Democratic Party, a coalition partner of the ruling Democratic Party of Japan.
The conference adopted a statement calling for building a society in which every individual can flourish.