Japanese women are among the best educated and highest qualified in the world and yet they struggle with the expectations of a conservative society that still pushes them in traditional roles.
According to the 2025 gender gap index by the World Economic Forum, Japan ranked 118th among 148 countries, with female representation in the field of politics notably low.
Leadership positions have traditionally been dominated by men and Japan has struggled to increase the number of female lawmakers and business leaders.
The world’s fourth largest economy ranks last among the G7 countries when it comes to the share of women in its national parliament. Specifically, women make up about 15.7% of lawmakers in Japan, the lowest figure among the G7.
It is even slow when it comes to women’s reproductive health: only this week was it announced that the “morning after” pill – a form of emergency contraception available without prescription in more than 90 countries – had finally been approved for over the counter use in Japan.
Even so, some see Takaichi’s rise to power as a pivotal moment that could change how women view their prospects.
“There is great significance in Ms Takaichi becoming prime minister, with a broader impact on society,” Naomi Koshi – who became the country’s youngest female mayor in 2012 – told Japan’s Kyodo news agency.
Koshi argued Japan having a female prime minister will “lower psychological barriers” for women and girls, helping them feel it is normal to “stand out” as leaders in companies and society, even as gender-based stereotypes and expectations still remain.
But Audrey Hill-Uekawa, 20, points out that, while it is remarkable Japan has its first female leader, one must remember it took her more than 30 years to get to that position.
“She’s also not really going against the grain. She’s saying the same thing as the men.”
AloJapan.com