Following his election to the House of Representatives in 1990, my husband has devoted countless hours to serving the people of Japan. Nobuteru's hectic schedule makes it difficult for our family to enjoy quality time together. Furthermore, the unpredictability of political elections hinders our ability to plan for the future and we seldom escape the public eye. Despite these hardships, I have always supported my husband and his political goals. Our shared patriotism empowers us to sacrifice personal comfort and privacy in order to help create a better Japan.

Prior to marrying Nobuteru in 1988, I had already begun exploring the world of politics. While studying political science at Keio University, I focused on the European Community's political system. During my fourth year at Keio, I also began working as a CNN-Japan news correspondent. This job enabled me to continue pursuing my interest in such political issues as education, the environment, and international relations. Additionally, the national exposure I gained allowed me to segue into an exciting period as a television actress. After becoming pregnant with our first child in 1990, however, I decided to devote myself to motherhood and Nobuteru's fledgling political career.

Subsequently, I have discovered that being the spouse of a national politician constitutes a full-time job. In addition to caring for our two children, I spend most of my free time attending parties, fundraisers, weddings, funerals, and award ceremonies in his election district, Suginami City. When I am not racing between public events, I write as many thank you letters to Nobuteru's supporters as possible. Although I occasionally manage to read a novel, play golf with my friends, or workout at the gym, my schedule allows little time for such hobbies. Nevertheless, I gladly accept this busy lifestyle and take pride in sharing the duty of reforming Japan.

Despite my political background, I do not intend to seek elected office. Yet, I wholeheartedly encourage other Japanese - especially women - to play a more active role in local and national government. As the common Japanese expression says, political careers are "like water" (mizu mono): one never knows where they might flow. While the stream of Japanese politics may seem difficult to navigate, the challenge of exploring its waters can also prove exhilarating. More importantly, political participation offers one of the best vehicles for enacting positive change in Japan.