Sanae Takaichi Appoints Just Two Women to Cabinet After Becoming Japan’s First Female Prime Minister

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Sanae Takaichi Appoints Just Two Women to Cabinet After Becoming Japan’s First Female Prime Minister

Analysis

1. Context:
   • Sanae Takaichi created history on 21 October 2025, becoming Japan’s first female Prime Minister.
   • Despite breaking the gender barrier at the highest political office, her cabinet announcement reflected a continued underrepresentation of women in Japan’s political leadership.
2. Cabinet Composition:
   • Out of a 19-member cabinet, only two womenwere appointed:
     • Satsuki Katayama as Finance Minister (the first woman to hold this post).
     • Kimi Onoda as Economic Security Minister.
   • The immediate predecessor, Shigeru Ishiba, had also appointed two women, while the record remains five under Fumio Kishida.
3. Comparative Global Context:
   • Takaichi had promised parity levels comparable to Nordic countries, such as:
     • Iceland: 6 out of 11 cabinet members are women.
     • Finland: 11 of 19 cabinet members are women.
   • Japan, by contrast, continues to lag far behind these countries in gender representation.
4. Gender Representation in Japanese Politics:
   • Even after a record 73 women MPs were elected in the latest Lower House elections, they account for only 15.7% of the 465-member chamber.
   • According to the World Economic Forum’s 2025 Global Gender Gap Index, Japan ranks 118th out of 148 countries, reflecting persistent structural gender inequality.
5. Political Orientation and Ideology:
   • Takaichi, known for her ultra-conservative views, draws ideological inspiration from Margaret Thatcher.
   • She upholds traditional family values, opposing reforms such as allowing different surnames for married couples and female succession to the imperial throne.
   • While she opposes discrimination against the LGBTQ+ community, she does not support same-sex marriage.
6. Reactions:
   • Critics, like sociologist Chizuko Ueno, noted that Takaichi’s leadership may improve Japan’s gender ranking but not necessarily make politics more inclusive for women.
   • Others, such as Naomi Koshi, Japan’s youngest female mayor in 2012, viewed her rise as symbolically significant, potentially inspiring more women to enter politics.

Static / Background Information

• Japan’s Political System:
  • Constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary government.
  • The Prime Minister is elected by the National Diet (bicameral legislature).
  • Dominated by the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) since the post-war period.
• World Economic Forum – Gender Gap Index:
  • Measures gender equality across four dimensions — Economic Participation, Educational Attainment, Health and Survival, and Political Empowerment.
  • Nordic nations consistently top the rankings due to strong female participation in governance.

Updated - 21 October 2025 ; 1:36 PM | The Guardian

News Source:The Guardian