The woman who wants to topple Abe and revive Japan

ANYONE wondering why Japan is skirting yet another recession should spend an hour with lawmaker Seiko Noda.

In a nation that chronically underappreciates the talents of women (Japan trails Saudi Arabia and Bangladesh in terms of the number of females in politics), Ms Noda is a trailblazer.

In 1989, at 37, she became Japan's youngest post-war Cabinet member. Her skill in navigating around the jeers and contempt of male colleagues caught the attention of then-Japanese leader Keizo Obuchi, who famously dubbed Ms Noda "the future candidate for female prime minister". Now Ms Noda is taking that notion out for a test- ride, quietly seeking support to challenge Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in party elections on Sept 20. Her rallying cry: Mr Abe's government has ignored economic reforms and demographic challenges to the detriment of Japan's global status. While Ms Noda's odds of ousting Mr Abe are low, her message is vital.