Japan's First Female Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi: What Her Leadership Means for Women's Equality in Japan

Oct 22, 2025 02:38 pm CST

Sanae Takaichi has made history as Japan's first female prime minister, but her conservative policies and male-dominated cabinet raise questions about meaningful progress for gender equality in a country ranked 118th globally for gender parity. Despite breaking the glass ceiling herself, Takaichi's alignment with traditional values and limited female appointments signal challenging prospects for women's advancement in Japanese society and politics.