ニューズウィーク（アジア版）：安倍首相夫人昭恵さん、不妊治療と養子縁組について語る

Interview: It's a Source of Stress
Akie Abe talks about the stir over her style, her youth, her willingness to hold hands in public.
Newsweek International

Feb. 5, 2007 issue - Since her husband became prime minister last September, Akie Abe—who at 44 is Japan's youngest First Lady ever—has quietly revolutionized her unofficial office with her charm, fashion flair, frankness and steady advocacy of several causes. In an interview in the prime minister's Tokyo office in January, she spoke to NEWSWEEK's Christian Caryl and Akiko Kashiwagi about how she sees her job.

(snip)

We were impressed by your openness discussing your fertility treatment and the possibility of adopting children.

I thought it would be better to speak in my own words before somebody misunderstood [us]. In the United States, I think adopting a child is not uncommon, but in Japan it is. There are so many married couples around me who don't have children. It is very unfortunate that many could afford to adopt but don't. It will be difficult, but I think we can figure out some solutions to [Japan's] low birthrate, including adoption and fertility treatment.

(snip)

The First Lady Steps Out
Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has a secret weapon: his wife. But is Japan really ready for her?
By Christian Caryl and Akiko Kashiwagi