Following a last-minute coalition agreement, Takaichi was appointed by parliament on Tuesday as Japan’s first female head of government. This marks the country’s fifth leadership change in as many years.

Takaichi’s stance on gender issues positions her on the right wing of the already conservative Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). She is notably against changing a 19th-century law that mandates married couples to share the same surname—a regulation that predominantly results in women adopting their husband’s name.

“This issue is unlikely to be resolved during her tenure,” remarked Kawato.

Currently, more than 90 percent of cases see wives taking on their husbands’ surnames. Critics—including business groups and some liberal-leaning members within the LDP—argue that this tradition unfairly impacts women’s career prospects. Meanwhile, a small group of conservatives insists that the rule is crucial for maintaining family unity.

Conservative record, Ishin confluence

The current rule means that wives take their husbands’ names in more than 90 per cent of cases. Critics, including business lobbies and even some liberal-leaning LDP members, say this disproportionately affects women’s careers, while the small group of opponents within the conservative circle calls it indispensable to family unity.

The parties also agreed to promote male-only succession of Japan’s imperial family, which would be “simply sexist” without a rational explanation, Otsuka said.

Nordic levels

“This is extremely disappointing and offers no hope for women’s empowerment.”

Sanae Takaichi’s new cabinet has only two women members. Source: AFP / Kaname Yoneyama

When asked about her cabinet’s gender imbalance, Takaichi told a Tuesday press conference that she “prioritised equal opportunity” and “assigned the right people to the right positions”.