Japanese politics remains hugely male-dominated, although the number of women in the parliament rose at the last election – and Takaichi became the first female prime minister in October. “Before plenary sessions start, truly so many women lawmakers have to form long queues in front of the restroom,” said Yasuko Komiyama, from the opposition Constitutional Democratic party. Seventy-two of 465 lower house lawmakers are women, up from 45 in the previous parliament, as are 74 of the 248 upper house members. Takaichi, an admirer of Margaret Thatcher, said before becoming prime minister that she wanted “Nordic” levels of gender balance. “In a way, this symbolises how the number of female lawmakers has increased,” she told reporters, according to her party’s website, adding that she hoped for more equality in other areas of life.

Source: The Guardian January 01, 2026 14:29 UTC