This Pregnant Japanese Politician Proves That Motherhood Belongs In Leadership

Hikaru Fujita took her place on the political campaign platform not only as a representative with promises to keep, but also as a vessel of new life. As a pregnant woman, her election to Japan's Lower House has been one of the most engaging moments in Japan’s recent parliamentary election campaign, raising many interesting discussions about gender, motherhood, and power.

A Historic Campaign in Male-Dominated Politics

The latest election in Japan has taken centre stage in the world’s political arena, however, not just for the elections themselves, but also for one of the most notable political symbols, namely Hikaru Fujita, a political candidate who campaigned for elections while pregnant. 

Fujita, 35, contested as a member of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party in Nagano prefecture and shot to international attention when she declared her pregnancy on the campaign trail, saying she wanted to “show that even pregnant women could run”- a direct challenge to the traditional expectations placed on women’s roles in Japanese society.

Women in Japan are regularly expected to put domestic duties first, even when they have professional careers. The decision by Fujita to take both her pregnancy and political ambitions publicly was met with disbelief and ran so against the deeply entrenched norms.

“The idea that pregnancy should sideline someone’s ambitions is outdated,” Fujita told supporters after her win. Her campaign has inspired quite evocative comments on social media, praising her courage and perseverance.

The major issue Fujita campaigned on during the election was related to youths and women. The issues were of paramount importance in Japan, particularly because of the low birth rate as well as gender inequality. According to the 2025 Global Gender Gap report prepared by the World Economic Forum, Japan stands at number 118 out of 148.

Fujita’s success represents more than an individual victory; it reflects a broader conversation in Japanese society about the role of women.

A Contradictory Political Landscape

Despite Fujita’s achievement, progress remains limited at the national level. Although Japan now has a female prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, women remain underrepresented in the powerful Lower House, where they hold only about 15 per cent of seats. This highlights a clear gap between women reaching top leadership positions and broader female representation in government.

Takaichi’s election as Japan’s first female prime minister does not mean her government prioritises gender equality. Her cabinet is largely male, and gender issues are not a key focus.

Analysts note that having women in top positions alone does not change deep-rooted social norms, as Japanese politics still reflects traditional expectations that women focus on the home. This was evident in the mixed and often critical public reaction to Fujita’s pregnancy announcement during her campaign.

Incremental Progress and Perceptions of Change

Nevertheless, Fujita’s visible pregnancy during the electoral campaign defies the assumption that the identity of a woman as a mother must be separated from her capacity to succeed. Fujita has said that she hopes her win will encourage young women to believe that ‘you don’t have to choose between family and leadership.’

Other women politicians in Japan are slowly coming to embrace their role as mothers and their brief time in legislative activities by taking maternity leave. This is a clear indication of the process of political participation among women being underway.

Leadership Redefined for the Future

The election in Japan once again makes the country rethink the participation of women in the country's leadership. Though women are not yet represented in the Parliament of Japan to the full extent that most citizens feel is called for, the presence of women like Fujita and Takaichi is literally redoing the boldest visions of what the country imagines when a woman is present.

Therefore, as Fujita embarks on her new position, she has sworn to support legislation that advances family interests, gender equality, and the youth. Fujita’s rise from pregnant politician to leader marks the shift in modern-day leadership worldwide in the 21st century. In Fujita’s world, motherhood and leadership are not mutually exclusive terms.

Views expressed by the author are their own.