Sanae Takaichi Becomes Japan’s First Female PM, Appoints Only Two Women to Cabinet

Sanae Takaichi made history on Tuesday by becoming Japan’s first female prime minister, but her cabinet appointments have sparked criticism for failing to deliver on promises of gender parity. Of the 19 ministers in her lineup, only two are women, a marked decline from her predecessor’s five female ministers and far below the levels seen in other nations.

The two women appointed are Satsuki Katayama, who assumes the role of finance minister, and Kimi Onoda, named economic security minister. Advocates for gender equality have expressed disappointment, noting that the low representation undermines Takaichi’s stated commitment to promoting women in leadership. Critics argue that it reflects the persistent challenges women face in Japan’s political sphere, where decision-making positions remain overwhelmingly male-dominated.

Takaichi, a conservative stalwart of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), had previously cited countries like Iceland and Finland as models for gender-balanced governments. However, her cabinet also signals a rightward shift in Japanese politics. Several ministers are known for their ultraconservative and revisionist views, particularly regarding Japan’s wartime history and defense policies, and her administration is aligned with a coalition partner that shares these positions.

While Takaichi has publicly highlighted women’s health issues and spoken about her personal experiences with menopause, her cabinet’s gender composition has raised questions about whether her leadership will truly advance women’s representation. Analysts say her tenure will be closely watched as a test of how she balances conservative policy priorities with societal expectations for gender equality.

Observers note that Japan continues to lag behind many nations in female political representation, and Takaichi’s historic appointment, while a milestone, underscores the ongoing struggle for parity in a male-dominated political system. Her first months in office will be pivotal in determining whether she can enact meaningful change for women in government while steering her conservative agenda.