TOKYO — Sanae Takaichi made history on Tuesday as Japan’s first female prime minister, but her male-dominated cabinet and conservative stance on social issues have sparked debate about how much will really change for women in a country long criticized for gender inequality.
Takaichi appointed only two women to her 19-member cabinet, the same number as her predecessor, despite her earlier pledge to bring women’s representation closer to Nordic levels.
“The lineup she announced betrayed that promise from the outset,” said Tohko Tanaka, a media and gender studies professor at the University of Tokyo. “This is extremely disappointing and offers no hope for women’s empowerment.”
Asked about the imbalance, Takaichi said she prioritized “equal opportunity” and assigned “the right people to the right positions.” Her choices were limited, she added, as only 13 percent of lawmakers in her ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) are women. The party has set a target of 30 percent by 2033.
Female representation in Japanese cabinets has never exceeded 30 percent. By comparison, women hold between 36 and 61 percent of cabinet posts in Nordic countries. Japan ranked 118th out of 148 nations in the World Economic Forum’s latest Global Gender Gap Report, the lowest among the G7 and below many of its Asian neighbors.
While Takaichi’s reference to Nordic equality may have been campaign rhetoric, her appointment still represents a symbolic breakthrough, said Tiina Airaksinen, a senior lecturer in Asian studies at the University of Helsinki. “She can’t change everything immediately, but she can start the change,” she said.
However, Takaichi’s critics note that her views align with the LDP’s traditionalist ideals. Public polls show she is more popular among men than women.
“She has supported the patriarchal model in which men overwork at the center of society and women support them through unpaid care,” said Yayo Okano, a feminist political theory professor at Doshisha University.
Takaichi has also defended the law requiring married couples to share a single surname, which critics say harms women’s careers. More than 90 percent of Japanese women take their husband’s name after marriage.
Her rise to power came after the LDP formed a coalition with the right-leaning Japan Innovation Party (Ishin), which supports stricter welfare eligibility and upholds male-only imperial succession. These policies could further strain support for women, especially single parents and low-income earners, warned Yoko Otsuka, a welfare policy and gender studies professor at Ritsumeikan University.
Despite the landmark nature of Takaichi’s appointment, many Japanese women remain uncertain whether her leadership will advance their rights or reinforce the status quo.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
