Japanese navy appoints first female chief of warship unit
The Japanese navy said on 6 March it had for the first time appointed a woman as commander of a unit that includes the country's biggest warship.
Ryoko Azuma, 44, will command four warships making up a division with a total of 1,000 crew members.
A spokesman for the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force told AFP: ‘This is the first time a woman was appointed for the job. But she wasn't chosen because she was a woman.’
The ships include the helicopter carrier Izumo, the navy's biggest ship.
Azuma, after a ceremony at Yokohama near Tokyo to mark her arrival in the post, said: ‘I want to do my best to carry out the heavy duty I have been given.’
About 400 crew members attended the ceremony.
Azuma said: ‘I don't think about being a woman but I want to try to become a role model for younger female officers.’
About 14,000 women are currently serving in the Self-Defense Forces as the military is known, accounting for only 6% of the entire personnel.
On most levels, Japan lags behind other developed countries in terms of sexual equality.
In politics women are still under-represented with only 47 of the 465 members of the lower house.
According to statistics compiled by the Swiss-based Inter-Parliamentary Union, this ratio of 10.1% places Japan below Myanmar and Gambia.
More from Naval Warfare
-
![Fincantieri and TKMS partner for Philippine submarine bid]()
Fincantieri and TKMS partner for Philippine submarine bid
The companies have banded together to promote the Fincantieri U212 NFS offering, and hinted that the collaboration may not be a one-bid phenomenon.
-
![Naval modernisation accelerates amid geopolitical tension and tech evolution]()
Naval modernisation accelerates amid geopolitical tension and tech evolution
The global naval market is undergoing a notable transformation, with growth driven by both escalating geopolitical tensions and the emergence of innovative technologies. Across NATO, but particularly in Europe, navies are accelerating modernisation efforts, spurred by renewed threats and persistent capability gaps.
-
![Two new European logistics support vessels enter sea trials]()
Two new European logistics support vessels enter sea trials
The two Logistic Support Ships (LSS), contracted under Organisation for Joint Armament Co-operation, (OCCAR), should be commissioned into service later in 2025.
