Mariko Bando

Enthusiastic. Brave. A remarkable behind-the-scenes player in the world of male-dominated Japanese politics. That's how admirers describe Mariko Bando, director general of Japan's Gender Equality Bureau. Formal titles aside, Bando is the Japanese government's front-and-center spokeswoman, cheerleader, and champion of its policy of leveling the playing field for women in Japan. Since being tapped to head the new office in 2001, Bando has helped to reshape attitudes toward women and work -- and scored some dramatic successes.

Her first recommendation to Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi: Set up more government-funded day-care centers to slash a waiting list that had 150,000 children on it. He did it, and within a year the list had fallen to less than 100,000. She has also persuaded centers to stay open later, and to take babies less than 12 months old -- previously considered too young.