A landmark appointment — with a surprising imbalance
On 21 October 2025, Sanae Takaichi was elected as Japan’s first female Prime Minister, marking a watershed moment for a country long criticized for its gender gap in politics.
Yet mere hours later, in forming her 19-member cabinet, Takaichi revealed that only two women would serve as ministers: Satsuki Katayama as Finance Minister (the first woman in that role) and Kimi Onoda as Economic Security Minister.
Promises vs. reality
Takaichi had pledged to assemble a cabinet with female representation “not particularly lower than Nordic countries,” referencing places like Iceland and Finland where women commonly hold half or more of ministerial posts.
However, ending up with just two female ministers falls far short of those aspirations — and underscores the entrenched gender dynamics within the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP).
What this says about Takaichi’s agenda
- By appointing so few women, Takaichi signals that gender parity is not a priority over political cohesion, seniority or ideological alignment.
- Analysts note the paradox: a woman reaches the highest office in a country that ranks 118th out of 148 in the 2025 Global Gender Gap Index, yet appoints few women to her inner government circle.
- Takaichi’s policy positions — opposition to female succession in the imperial household, resistance to separate married surnames and rejection of same-sex marriage — further complicate interpretations of her premiership as a feminist breakthrough.
Reactions: cautious optimism meets sharp critique
- Some celebrate the symbolic milestone of the first female prime minister in Japan, hoping it may inspire broader change.
- Others express frustration: the appointment of only two women is seen as window-dressing rather than deep transformation. Sociologist Chizuko Ueno from Tokyo stated that “this doesn’t mean Japanese politics will become kinder to women”.
- Many in the women’s rights community question whether Takaichi’s leadership will translate into policy advances or simply maintain the status quo.
The stakes for Japan’s future
- Political culture: The appointments send a message about how seriously the government takes gender representation. Will women be elevated beyond token roles?
- Policy outcomes: Beyond optics, will Takaichi champion structural reforms for women’s advancement in the workforce, politics, and public life?
- International reputation: With Japan lagging its peers on gender equality, her cabinet choices will factor into the country’s global standing on diversity and inclusion.
Looking ahead: what to watch
- The number of women appointed to key committees and senior roles beyond the cabinet.
- Whether Takaichi introduces concrete gender-equality policies (e.g., quotas, parental leave reforms, gender audits).
- The balance of power within the LDP: will future reshuffles bring more women, or will senior male stalwarts maintain dominance?
- Public and media reaction over the next 100 days: will her tenure be evaluated on gender metrics or other priorities?
Bottom line
Sanae Takaichi’s rise to the premiership is undeniably historic — yet her cabinet choices reveal the deep inertia still facing women in Japanese politics. The fact that only two women serve in her inner government circle may signal that while breaking the glass ceiling is possible, shattering the full structure of male-dominated leadership remains a far tougher climb.
