The nation's three female governors on Friday submitted to Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi a package of policy measures that focus on the needs of ordinary citizens.

Chiba Gov. Akiko Domoto, Osaka Gov. Fusae Ohta and Kumamoto Gov. Yoshiko Shiotani said the policy initiative, which covers areas including health and welfare, is necessary as more women play key roles in society.

It is the first time for a group of women-only governors to petition the national government.

They are seeking measures in five areas: food safety; better emergency medical care for children; improved environments in which to raise children; reduction of domestic violence and child abuse; and women's health.

The three prefectures said they would jointly organize a forum to broaden understanding of the issues and achieve the necessary measures.

The governors also held a news conference.

Ohta maintained that one reason why Japanese society appears to have hit a wall is because it lacks, from an ordinary person's perspective, the power to change.

Domoto, meanwhile, expressed the hope that half of the nation's governors will be women.

The three said they began working on the policy measures after a conference of the nation's governors in Okinawa in July.