ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the framing of political motivations that serves to reinforce stereotypes about the nature of women. These stereotypical traits include passivity, kindness and subordination to men. The alignment with these stereotypes can be interpreted as strategic articulation of motivation to fit into a culture that is heavily male dominated. By framing their socially constructed masculine political ambition in feminine discourses of caring and working for others, they legitimise their careers and ambitions and minimise the threat they represent to masculine political power. Framing their careers around those of significant men in their lives also legitimises their political ambition. Women entering politics in Japan are therefore seen as an anomaly. They are rendered highly visible in a role that is defined as masculine. The way that women in Japan talk about political motivations can be read as a strategy to cushion the threat they pose to the gendered status quo in politics.
