Japan elects its first ever female prime minister

 Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DceviWlgaZM

Japan has its first ever female prime minister. Her name is Sanae Takaichi. She was elected as the country's 104th prime minister on Tuesday. She won 237 votes in the lower house of Japan's Diet (parliament). Her opponent, Yoshihiko Noda, won 149 votes. Ms Takaichi takes over from former leader Shigeru Ishiba. He was in power for just one year. Takaichi is head of Japan's Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). To get enough votes to win the election, she had to make an alliance with the right-wing Japan Innovation Party. She has a tough job ahead of her. Japanese people are unhappy about rising prices, job security, a falling birth rate, and how to care for the increasing number of old people.

Sanae Takaichi, 64, has led an interesting life. At university, she played drums in a heavy metal rock band. She likes sport and supports the Gamba Osaka soccer team and the Hanshin Tigers baseball team. She was interested in motorcycles and had a powerful Kawasaki Z400 motorbike. In 1987, Takaichi moved to the USA and wrote books about American politics. In 1989, she worked as a TV anchor on a variety show. Women in Japan hope Takaichi's background means she will support gender equality and diversity. However, she opposes same-sex marriage and allowing separate surnames for married couples. In addition, she does not agree that a woman should become emperor ahead of a man.

 

1. WOMEN: Students A strongly believe female leaders are better; Students B strongly believe the opposite. Explain.

2. LEADERS: Who are the best leaders in these areas? Why? Complete this table  

 

Who

Why?

National

 

 

International

 

 

Business

 

 

Religion

 

 

Tech

 

 

Human rights

 

 

 
3. ISSUES: Rank these with your partner. Put the most important issues at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

·         Food prices

·         Jobs

·         Falling birth rates

·         Care for old people

·         Gender equality

·         Same-sex marriage

·         Immigration

·         Crime

 

4.Vocabulary

    Paragraph 1

      1.

elected

a.

Show your choice or opinion in an election.

      2.

vote

b.

A person or team you compete or fight against in a contest or election.

      3.

parliament

c.

The number of babies born in a country in a year.

      4.

opponent

d.

The building where the leaders of a country meet, talk, and make or change laws.

      5.

former

e.

Having conservative or traditional political ideas.

      6.

right-wing

f.

Chosen by people in a vote for a job or position.

      7.

birth rate

g.

Someone who had a job or position in the past.

    Paragraph 2

      8.

support

h.

Went to live in a new house, town or country.

      9.

moved

i.

The work and activities of the government, or the way a country is run.

      10.

politics

j.

Another word for family name.

      11.

hope

k.

When men and women are treated the same.

      12.

gender equality

l.

Want something to happen or be true.

      13.

diversity

m.

Help or agree with someone or something.

      14.

surname

n.

Having many different kinds of people, ideas, animals and flowers, etc.

5. SYNONYM MATCH: Match the following synonyms from the article.

  1. elected
  2. opponent
  3. former
  4. enough
  5. tough
  6. supports
  7. moved
  8. background
  9. equality
  10. couple
  1. past
  2. sufficient
  3. partners
  4. rival
  5. follows
  6. fairness
  7. chosen
  8. difficult
  9. relocated
  10. ex-

 

6.Role play

Role  A – Food Prices
You think the price of food is the most important issue in your country today. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their issues aren't as serious. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): job security, crime or gender equality.

Role  B – Job Security
You think job security is the most important issue in your country today. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their issues aren't as serious. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): the price of food, crime or gender equality.

Role  C – Crime
You think crime is the most important issue in your country today. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their issues aren't as serious. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): job security, the price of food or gender equality.

Role  D – Gender Equality
You think gender equality is the most important issue in your country today. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their issues aren't as serious. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): job security, crime or the price of food.

 

7.Discussion - Sanae Takaichi

 

  1. What did you think when you read the headline?
  2. What images are in your mind when you hear the word 'politics'?
  3. What do you think of your country's leader?
  4. Who is the world's best national leader?
  5. Are male or female leaders best?
  6. Would you be a good leader of your country?
  7. What would you like your country's leader to do?
  8. How worried are you about rising prices?
  9. How worried are you about job security?
  10. What advice do you have for Sanae Takaichi?

 

  1. Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
  2. What do you think of when you hear the word 'prime minister'?
  3. What do you think about what you read?
  4. How interesting a life have you had?
  5. How important is it for a leader to have an interesting background?
  6. What musical instruments can you play?
  7. What sports are you interested in?
  8. How is gender equality in your country?
  9. Should people keep their at-birth surname after getting married?
  10. What questions would you like to ask Sanae Takaichi?

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