Doi, Takako (1928–)

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Doi, Takako (1928–)

Japanese politician. Born Takako Doi in Kobe, a port city in southwest Japan, Nov 30, 1928; dau. of a physician; granted law degree from Doshisha University, Kyoto, 1958; never married; no children.

As a member of the Socialist Party, captured a seat in the Lower House (1969) and was returned to office in 7 subsequent parliamentary contests; impressing her colleagues with her forceful debating skills, was appointed vice-chair of the party's central executive committee (1983); served as chair of the Social Democratic Party (1986–91), the 1st woman to head a major political organization in Japan; led the Socialists to a stunning victory over the ruling party in the Upper House elections (1989), thus breaking the Liberal Democrats' monopoly on power in that chamber of Parliament; along with her powerful populist message, inspired hundreds of politically inexperienced women to run for political office in the 1989 balloting, and many of them were elected in the wave of "Doi fever" that swept the country.

See also Women in World History.