| Journal Title /掲載ジャーナル名 |
Electoral Studies |
| Publication Year and Month /掲載年月 |
July, 2025 |
| Paper Title /論文タイトル |
Preferences for female successors: Evidence from a survey experiment among Japanese local politicians |
| DOI /論文DOI |
10.1016/j.electstud.2025.102956 |
| Author of Waseda University /本学の著者 |
ONO, Yoshikuni(Professor, Faculty of Political Science and Economics, School of Political Science and Economics):Correspoinding Author, Last Author |
| Related Websites /関連Web |
– |
| Abstract /抄録 |
Incumbents often serve as critical gatekeepers in the recruitment of new candidates and may even designate their successors upon retirement. Some existing research indicates that the gender of gatekeepers is likely to affect the recruitment of female candidates, a dynamic of particular concern in countries like Japan, where political offices are predominantly held by men. However, it remains unclear whether the underrepresentation of women stems from male incumbents actively discriminating against female candidates during the recruitment process. Through a survey experiment involving over 7000 elected local politicians in Japan, we examine gender biases in the successor selection process and attitudes toward female candidacy. Contrary to our expectations, the results reveal that local politicians, irrespective of their own gender, are more inclined to nominate women over men as their successors. They also believe that these female candidates would receive support from their local constituencies. These findings suggest that the selection practices of incumbents may not significantly contribute to the underrepresentation of women in politics. |
