TOKYO (Realist English). Sanae Takaichi, a 64-year-old conservative politician and longtime member of Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), is on course to become the country’s first female prime minister after winning the party leadership on Saturday. She is expected to formally take office later this month.
Takaichi — who has often cited Margaret Thatcher as her political inspiration — has pledged to “raise awareness” of women’s health issues and spoken openly about her own experience with menopause. Yet her record and policy agenda place her firmly on the right wing of an already conservative LDP.
She opposes allowing married couples to retain separate surnames under Japan’s 19th-century family law, a stance that overwhelmingly affects women, and supports maintaining the imperial family’s male-only line of succession. Takaichi has also stated she is “fundamentally opposed” to same-sex marriage.
“She has no interest in women’s rights or gender equality policies,” said Yuki Tsuji, a political scientist at Tokai University. “It is unlikely that any change will occur compared to previous LDP administrations.” Still, Tsuji noted, the symbolism of a female prime minister in Japan “is quite substantial.”
Public reaction has been mixed. Yuka, a Tokyo office worker in her fifties, welcomed the prospect of a woman leading Japan but doubted it would bring tangible change. “We can proudly tell the world Japan will likely have a woman leader,” she said, “but I don’t expect much progress on gender issues.”
Women in Japan remain severely underrepresented in politics and business. They hold just 13.2% of management roles, the lowest rate among OECD members, and only 15% of lower-house seats in parliament. Japan ranked 118th out of 148 countries in the World Economic Forum’s 2025 Global Gender Gap Report.
While Tokyo governor Yuriko Koike has introduced several women-friendly policies, such as free preschool daycare, most female politicians continue to face entrenched sexism. Senior LDP figure Taro Aso drew criticism in 2024 after calling then-foreign minister Yoko Kamikawa “an aunty” and “not that beautiful.”
Japan’s #MeToo movement has also struggled to gain momentum. Survivors such as former soldier Rina Gonoi and journalist Shiori Ito have won praise for speaking out, but also endured intense online abuse.
For some younger Japanese, however, Takaichi’s rise still represents a moment of change. “In the past, there were female emperors, but never a woman prime minister,” said Ryuki Tatsumi, 23, a caregiver in Tokyo. “Maybe this is the beginning of progress.”
