Women's Suffrage Marks 70th Anniversary in Japan

The House of Councillors' election two days away, Japan is amid a political craze the campaign cars speeding to and fro screaming the candidates' names.

This election marks two memorable dates to remember - the 18/19-year-olds voting for the first time and women over 70 years of age recall their maiden ballots 70 years ago.

Currently honorary professor in Fukuoka at age 96, Shoko Akie says she can't forget the thrill of casting her first ballot 70 years ago.

"The war had just ended, nothing around to eat and wear. We walked to the polling place just as we were, all excited to cast a vote as a full-grown up should."

Akie was an enlightened woman studying in a college in Tokyo and always thought it irrational not to be able to vote. She majored in education and studied women's social participation.

The general elections 70 years ago produced female members of the Diet, of whom Kiyo Sato was one at age 26.
Sato, now 97, vividly remembers booming elation then.

"I thought my days have come at last. Women can say things as men. We were taught to lie low. My mother would let my brother talk on freely but shut me up the moment I uttered a word. That's how it was - the entire society."

She stood up and ran for the elections just to help elevate women's' rights. She says she must urge young people today to display enthusiasm:

"Young people must aspire and achieve what they set out to do. Think of what they should do, what they want to do, what they think they can do. Once they've discovered what, they must stick to it."

So, the upcoming Upper House election celebrates the 70th anniversary of women's suffrage. The voting age now down to 18, some 2.4 million 18/19-olders vote for the first time to grace the occasion. Good for them. (Nathan Shiga)