Japan is poised to make history with Sanae Takaichi set to become the country’s first female prime minister, a landmark moment in a nation where women have long been underrepresented in politics and leadership. Yet, despite the symbolic breakthrough, many Japanese women are not celebrating.
Takaichi, a veteran conservative politician known for her hawkish views on security and close ties with former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, has built her career on hardline stances rather than progressive gender reforms. While her ascent breaks the glass ceiling in appearance, critics argue it does little to address the structural barriers facing women in Japanese society.
Japan consistently ranks low among advanced economies on gender equality indices, with women holding only a small fraction of parliamentary seats and leadership roles in business. Issues such as wage gaps, limited childcare support, and workplace discrimination remain entrenched. Many activists say that Takaichi has shown little interest in tackling these problems head-on.
“Having a woman at the top is not enough if her policies don’t advance women’s rights,” said one Tokyo-based gender equality advocate. “Representation matters, but empowerment matters more.”
Takaichi’s political record reflects a focus on traditional family structures and conservative social values. She has previously opposed separate surnames for married couples, a reform long demanded by women’s rights groups. She has also shown limited support for expanding women’s labor participation through policy changes, often framing gender debates in cultural rather than rights-based terms.
For younger Japanese women, the appointment represents a bittersweet moment: a milestone for visibility, but not necessarily a victory for substantive change. “It feels like we’re being told to celebrate, but we’re not sure what we’re celebrating,” commented a university student in Osaka.
Observers note that Japan’s first female prime minister will inevitably carry symbolic weight internationally, projecting an image of modernization. However, at home, the lack of a progressive agenda raises questions about whether her leadership will genuinely shift the balance for women in workplaces, politics, and households.
As Takaichi prepares to take office, she faces the delicate task of leading a country navigating economic challenges, regional security threats, and societal change. But for Japanese women who had hoped the rise of a female leader would herald a new era of gender equality, the message is more complicated: representation without reform may not be enough.
