Japan’s parliament elected Sanae Takaichi as the country’s first female prime minister on Oct. 21, a historic milestone in a nation where women remain severely underrepresented in government.
The 64-year-old ultraconservative won 237 votes in the Lower House and 125 in the Upper House, replacing Shigeru Ishiba after the Liberal Democratic Party’s recent electoral setbacks. A protégé of the late former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Takaichi has held multiple ministerial posts, including Internal Affairs and Communications, Economic Security, and Gender Equality and Social Affairs.
While many celebrate the momentous occasion, some question whether Takaichi’s win will bring any significant change, as she is known for taking traditional, hardline positions. She famously supports male-only imperial succession and opposes same-sex marriage and allowing married women to retain their maiden names. She continues to visit the controversial Yasukuni Shrine, which neighboring countries view as honoring Japan’s past wartime aggression, and backs stricter immigration rules and increased defense spending.
Furthermore, despite campaign promises to achieve “Nordic” levels of female representation in her government, or closer to 50%, Takaichi appointed only two other women to her Cabinet.
Takaichi faces several immediate challenges, including reviving Japan’s stagnant economy, restoring public trust in government, and managing delicate international relations, particularly with the United States. Observers note that her tenure will test both her leadership style and the broader push for gender equality in Japanese politics, raising questions about whether symbolic milestones can translate into substantive change.
Takaichi’s election highlights both progress and ongoing barriers for women in leadership, underscoring the tension between historic firsts and entrenched political traditions.