Newsroom
Japan has appointed its first female prime minister, a historic milestone in a country long dominated by men. Sanae Takaichi, a longtime conservative politician and self-described “Iron Lady,” now leads the world’s fourth-largest economy. While her rise is celebrated abroad as a breakthrough for women, domestically it is more nuanced.
Takaichi’s record shows little departure from Japan’s traditionalist norms. She opposes same-sex marriage, restrictions on married women keeping their maiden names, and women’s succession to the imperial throne. Her policy priorities focus on modest incentives for families and childcare, while her broader agenda remains aligned with Japan’s conservative establishment. Her leadership is widely seen as a tactical move by the ruling party to appeal to the right-wing base.
Despite these limitations, her premiership carries symbolic significance. Young women may view her ascent as a sign that leadership roles are possible, even in a society where female representation in politics remains low. Japan ranks near the bottom of global gender equality measures, with women holding just 15.7 percent of parliamentary seats, the lowest share among G7 countries. Yet critics caution that her position is unlikely to accelerate reforms on gender issues, as her policy approach largely reinforces existing social expectations.
Takaichi now faces significant challenges, from reviving a sluggish economy and curbing inflation to navigating international diplomacy, all while under the spotlight as Japan’s first female leader. Her premiership raises questions about whether symbolism can translate into meaningful change for gender equality.
With information from BBC.
