Japan’s first lady says husband helps with chores

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's wife Akie Abe speaks during an interview with The Associated Press at the prime minister's official residence in Tokyo Thursday, Sept. 4, 2014. Akie said on Thursday that her husband gives her time for a wide range of activities, from raising organic rice to appearing in a gay pride parade. Despite her husband's conservative image, she says he does chores when he can. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko) Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's wife Akie Abe speaks during an interview with The Associated Press at the prime minister's official residence in Tokyo Thursday, Sept. 4, 2014. Akie said on Thursday that her husband gives her time for a wide range of activities, from raising organic rice to appearing in a gay pride parade. Despite her husband's conservative image, she says he does chores when he can. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

By Associated Press September 4, 2014 3 min read

TOKYO (AP) – Japan’s first lady says she has such a busy schedule that sometimes it’s up to the prime minister to do the dishes or take out the garbage.

It’s the kind of flexibility that Akie Abe says is needed for the advancement of women in Japan.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is pushing companies and the government to hire and promote more women to allow Japan’s economy to grow and create a society where “women can shine.” He appointed five women to his 18-member Cabinet on Wednesday.

Even though Akie Abe, 52, openly refers to herself as a member of the “opposition in the household” on some issues her husband favors, such as nuclear energy, she told The Associated Press on Thursday that she is a big supporter of his “womenomics” policy of promoting women’s advancement.

In Japan, women are under-represented in senior-level positions in companies, government or universities. They have long been discriminated against in salary and promotion in corporate Japan, and often face obstacles to pursuing their careers due to a lack of help from spouses.