Akiko Domoto

Akiko Domoto didn't choose to go into politics. Instead, voters came looking for her--for good reason. In 1989, Domoto was at the peak of her career as an award-winning Japanese TV director known for her coverage of feminist and environmental issues. She supported a "women's power" political movement that was sweeping the country, and before long found herself nominated as an opposition candidate in an Upper House election.

Domoto won--and that was the start of a fruitful political career. Domoto went on to help draft and pass legislation banning domestic violence, gender discrimination, and child prostitution. Her latest political triumph came early this year, when a local citizen's group persuaded her to run for governor of Chiba Prefecture, just north of Tokyo. She won that race, despite having no funds and no organized campaign. "I think of it as a citizens' grassroots revolution," says the optimistic Domoto, 68. "The people of Chiba are very eager for change."