Seiko Noda, a 51-year-old Lower House lawmaker, drew wide public attention and controversy by bearing a child at age 50 through artificial insemination.
During an interview in February, about a year after giving birth to a boy using ova from a third party in the United States, Noda said she has no regrets. She says her son, Masaki, who has never left the hospital since birth due to serious medical problems, is her "mentor" who trains her as a politician.
Noda, a six-term lawmaker and a member of the Liberal Democratic Party, has had a stellar career as a politician. She served as posts and telecommunications minister as well as consumer affairs minister and was once widely expected to become the first female prime minister.