Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe Appoints First Ever Female Aide Friday Nov 29,2013

Makiko Yamada(53) internal ministry veteran, will advise the conservative prime minister on policies affecting women, said Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga.

"The Govt regards promotion of women in society as one of the key pillars for our growth policies," Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga told


The appointment of  MakikoYamada, who will join six male prime ministerial aides, comes long after economists around the world began repeatedly urging Japan to make better use of its pool of female talent to spur growth and slow the rapid shrinking of the workforce.

Despite high levels of education, many women in Japan leave their jobs when they have children, and social pressures to play the homemaker remain strong.

Abe's 19-member cabinet has only two women: state ministers in charge of reform and women's affairs.

But with a rapidly-greying population and no significant immigration to speak of, greater female participation in the workforce has become a more pressing issue.