The number of women in Prime Minister Fumio Kishida¡¯s latest Cabinet reshuffle, announced Sept. 13, increased from two to five.

This is as high as it has ever been ¡ª though not a single woman was chosen for any of the 54 junior ministerial positions.

Kishida told the newly appointed female ministers: ¡°I hope that each of you will do your job while fully demonstrating your sensitivity and empathy as women, which are unique to women.¡±