Asahi Shimbun's 'People' column has chronicled notable figures in society for over half a century, highlighting changes in gender representation over time. Initially, women were often featured prominently as 'firsts' in various categories, but as women have made significant advancements in society, the focus has shifted to their achievements, resulting in an increase from 20% to over 40% representation in recent years.

The column began in 1971 and has featured over 10,000 individuals since its inception, with a notable increase in the attention given to female figures within the past four decades. A recent digitization project enabled an analysis of approximately 13,000 articles published since 1984, revealing trends in how women and men have been portrayed. The findings indicate that articles featuring terms like 'first woman' have become common, as exemplified by stories about the first female mayor and the first African female film director in Japan, though articles about 'first men' continue to support traditional narratives of achievement.

Despite the advancements in representation, the analysis still highlights persistent gender disparities in coverage. As societal norms evolve, the balance of representation remains important, underlining the need for ongoing scrutiny of media portrayals of gender to ensure that women are recognized not just as milestones but as prominent figures in their own right within a broader societal context.