Japan’s First Female Leader of the Governing Party: A Conservative Trailblazer in a Male-Dominated Sphere

TOKYO – In a nation often criticized for its low standing in global gender equality metrics, the selection of the new head of Japan’s dominant Liberal Democratic Party, who is set to become the next prime minister, has drawn attention. This leader is a staunch conservative figure in a predominantly male political landscape, which some argue hinders progress for women.

Sanae Takaichi, age 64, admires Margaret Thatcher, the former British Prime Minister, and supports the conservative ideology of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

Takaichi has broken new ground as the first female leader of Japan’s largely male-centric ruling party, which has been a dominant force in the country’s post-World War II political scene.

Elected to the parliament from Nara in 1993, Takaichi has occupied vital roles in both the party and the government, including her stints as the economic security minister, and in the internal affairs and gender equality sectors.

Women representatives in the conservative Liberal Democratic Party have historically been sidelined when they advocated for diversity and gender equality. However, Takaichi has adhered to the traditional perspectives favored by influential male members of the party.

In the more authoritative lower house of Japan’s parliament, women make up only about 15% of the representatives. Furthermore, only two out of the 47 governors across the nation’s prefectures are women.

A drummer in a heavy-metal band and a motorbike rider as a student, Takaichi has called for a stronger military, more fiscal spending for growth, promotion of nuclear fusion, cybersecurity and tougher policies on immigration.

She vowed to drastically increase female ministers in her government. But experts say she might actually set back women’s advancement because as leader she would have to show loyalty to influential male heavyweights. If not she risks a short-lived leadership.

Takaichi has backed the LDP policy of having women serve in their traditional roles of being good mothers and wives. But she also recently acknowledged her struggles with menopausal symptoms and stressed the need to educate men about female health to help women at school and work.

Takaichi supports the imperial family’s male-only succession, opposes same-sex marriage and a revision to the 19th century civil law that would allow separate surnames for married couples so that women don’t get pressured into abandoning theirs.

She is a wartime history revisionist and China hawk. She regularly visits Yasukuni Shrine, which Japan’s neighbors consider a symbol of militarism, though she has declined to say what she would do as prime minister.

Political watchers say her revisionist views of Japan’s wartime history may complicate ties with Beijing and Seoul.

Her hawkish stance is also a worry for the LDP’s longtime partnership with Komeito, a Buddhist-backed moderate party. While she has said the current coalition is crucial for her party, she says she is open to working with far-right groups.