TOKYO — The ruling Liberal Democratic Party placed women, including Satsuki Katayama, Makiko Fujino and Yukari Sato, at the top of its proportional representation lists unveiled Monday in seven of the 11 blocks for the upcoming general election.
Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi has told his party to give top places on the lists to women as part of his drive to pit high-profile female candidates against rebel party members who voted against the bills to privatize Japan Post — the centerpiece of his reform agenda.