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Japan swears in historic first female prime minister
Sanae Takaichi became Japan's first woman to hold the country's highest office in October, a landmark moment celebrated by advocates for gender equality. Yet critics argue her conservative policies may do little to address deep-rooted disparities in leadership and pay.
Stark gender inequality in a developed economy
Despite its advanced economy, Japan ranks 118th out of 148 nations in the World Economic Forum's 2025 Gender Gap Index, the lowest among OECD members. The government's 2020 target of filling 30% of leadership roles with women was delayed by a decade, with women currently holding just 11.1% of such positions in business.
Labor force participation rises, but pay gap remains
Female employment has climbed steadily over 15 years, reaching 77% in 2025-surpassing the OECD average and the U.S. rate of 70%. Analysts credit policy changes, such as reduced nursery waiting lists, for enabling more women to return to work after childbirth. However, a 2024 government survey found women earn only 70-80% of men's wages on average.
"Japan has made progress increasing female labor participation, but systemic barriers persist,"
Yumiko Murakami, co-founder of MPower Partners
Venture capital's gender divide
MPower Partners, Japan's first female-led VC firm, launched the WPower fund to support women entrepreneurs, with half its capital from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. Murakami notes that female founders struggle to access funding in Japan's male-dominated VC sector, where insider networks exclude outsiders.
A 2024 survey revealed over half of female entrepreneurs experienced sexual harassment in the past year, prompting a government investigation in August 2025. Startup Lady, a support network for women founders, organizes safe spaces and workshops, though non-Japanese women attend more frequently than locals.
Education and academia lag behind
Gender stereotypes deter girls from STEM fields, where Japan has one of the OECD's lowest female enrollment rates. At the University of Tokyo, women comprise just 20% of undergraduates and fewer researchers. The university's #WeChange initiative aims to raise female faculty representation from 16% in 2022 to 25% by 2027, offering subsidies to departments hiring women.
"Progress is slow but meaningful. The real challenge is expanding the candidate pool,"
Prof. Kaori Hayashi, Executive Vice President, University of Tokyo
Political symbolism vs. policy change
Prime Minister Takaichi's election shattered a political glass ceiling, yet her opposition to reforms like separate surnames for married women fuels skepticism. Youth activist Momoko Nojo argues her leadership won't advance gender equality policies, though her ascent sets a precedent for future women leaders.
As Japan grapples with labor shortages and an aging population, experts agree: systemic change requires more than symbolic milestones.
