Can Japan get more female business leaders? – BBC

Report on Gender Equality and Women’s Leadership in Japan: Progress and Challenges Aligned with Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction

In October 2025, Japan appointed its first female prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, marking a historic milestone for women’s leadership in the country. This event has sparked discussions on gender equality, a critical component of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 5: Gender Equality. Despite this breakthrough, concerns remain regarding the impact of conservative politics on advancing gender equality in Japan.

Current State of Gender Equality in Japan

Japan exhibits notably low gender equality relative to its economic development level. According to the World Economic Forum’s 2025 Gender Gap Index, Japan ranks 118th out of 148 countries, positioning it as the lowest performer among the 38 OECD member nations. This ranking highlights significant challenges in achieving SDG 5.

The Japanese government had set a target for women to hold 30% of leadership roles across all sectors by 2020. However, this goal was postponed by a decade, with current female leadership in business standing at only 11.1%. This delay underscores the need for renewed commitment to gender-inclusive leadership aligned with SDG 5.

Progress in Female Labor Market Participation

Despite challenges, Japan has made progress in increasing female labor market participation, contributing to SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth. Yumiko Murakami, co-founder of MPower Partners, Japan’s first female-led venture capital firm, notes that the employment rate for women aged 15-64 has steadily increased over 15 years, surpassing the OECD average and reaching over 77% in 2025—higher than the United States.

This rise is partly driven by Japan’s aging population and labor shortages, making women’s economic participation essential. Government policies reducing nursery waiting lists have facilitated young mothers’ return to work, supporting SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being, and SDG 5.

Challenges in Wage Equality and Access to Capital

Despite higher participation, wage disparities persist, with women earning only 70-80% of male counterparts’ wages, as per a 2024 government survey. Addressing this gap is critical for SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities.

MPower Partners’ WPower fund targets support for female founders and women-empowerment businesses to improve access to capital, addressing systemic barriers in the venture capital industry. The Tokyo Metropolitan Government co-invested in this fund, demonstrating public-private collaboration aligned with SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals.

However, the male-dominated venture capital environment limits female entrepreneurs’ access to information and funding, highlighting the need to create a critical mass of women leaders and investors.

Sexual Harassment and Safety Concerns in Entrepreneurship

Gender imbalances in entrepreneurship have contributed to sexual harassment, with over half of female entrepreneurs reporting such experiences in the past year (2024 survey). This issue threatens SDG 5 and SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions.

Startup Lady, a support organization for female founders, was established to provide safe spaces, mentorship, and networking opportunities for women entrepreneurs, including non-Japanese nationals. Collaborations with local governments to offer workshops and lectures aim to empower women and promote inclusive entrepreneurship.

Gender Stereotypes in Education and STEM Fields

Persistent gender stereotypes affect educational choices, with Japan having one of the lowest percentages of female students in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) among OECD countries, impacting SDG 4: Quality Education and SDG 5.

At Tokyo University, only 20% of undergraduates and fewer researchers are women. The university’s UTokyo Gender Equity #WeChange initiative aims to increase female faculty from 16% in 2022 to 25% by 2027 by providing subsidies to departments hiring female academics.

Outreach programs encourage female students to pursue STEM and higher education, addressing early-stage gender bias and fostering role models to inspire future generations.

Political Leadership and Gender Equality

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s election is a landmark for female political empowerment in Japan, a country with low female representation in politics compared to OECD peers. Her leadership symbolizes progress toward SDG 5.

However, her conservative stance on issues such as the retention of separate surnames after marriage raises concerns about the pace of gender equality reforms. Youth activists express skepticism about the realization of comprehensive gender equality policies under her administration.

Conclusion

Japan faces significant challenges in achieving gender equality across leadership, labor participation, wage parity, education, and political representation. Nevertheless, ongoing initiatives in government policy, venture capital, education, and support organizations contribute to gradual progress aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals.

The election of a female prime minister sets a precedent for women’s leadership at the highest level, reinforcing the importance of continued efforts to meet SDG 5 and related goals for a more inclusive and equitable society.

Summary of Key Points Related to SDGs

1. SDG 5: Gender Equality – Focus on increasing women in leadership, closing wage gaps, and combating sexual harassment.
2. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth – Enhancing female labor market participation and entrepreneurship.
3. SDG 4: Quality Education – Addressing gender stereotypes and increasing female representation in STEM fields.
4. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities – Tackling wage disparities and unequal access to capital.
5. SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions – Ensuring safe environments for female entrepreneurs.
6. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals – Collaboration between government and private sector to support women-led ventures.

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

1. SDG 5: Gender Equality – The article focuses extensively on gender equality issues in Japan, including women in leadership, wage gaps, sexual harassment, and gender stereotypes in education.
2. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth – The article discusses female labor market participation, entrepreneurship, and economic necessity due to an aging population and labor shortages.
3. SDG 4: Quality Education – The article highlights gender disparities in STEM education and initiatives at Tokyo University to increase female faculty and students.
4. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities – The article touches on inequalities in access to capital for female entrepreneurs and workplace harassment.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. SDG 5: Gender Equality
   • Target 5.1: End all forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere.
   • Target 5.5: Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making in political, economic and public life.
   • Target 5.4: Recognize and value unpaid care and domestic work through public services and social protection policies.
2. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
   • Target 8.5: Achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men.
   • Target 8.3: Promote development-oriented policies that support productive activities, decent job creation, entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation.
3. SDG 4: Quality Education
   • Target 4.3: Ensure equal access for all women and men to affordable and quality technical, vocational and tertiary education.
   • Target 4.5: Eliminate gender disparities in education and ensure equal access to all levels of education and vocational training.
4. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
   • Target 10.2: Empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of gender.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. Indicators related to SDG 5:
   • Percentage of women in leadership positions across sectors (article mentions 11.1% in businesses, government target of 30%).
   • Gender wage gap (women earn 70-80% of male counterparts’ wages).
   • Incidence of sexual harassment among female entrepreneurs (more than half reported experiencing it in the past year).
   • Ratio of female faculty members at Tokyo University (from 16% in 2022 to a target of 25% by 2027).
2. Indicators related to SDG 8:
   • Female labor market participation rate (above 77% in Japan, surpassing OECD average).
   • Number and success rate of female-led startups and access to venture capital funding.
3. Indicators related to SDG 4:
   • Percentage of female students in STEM subjects (noted as one of the lowest among OECD countries).
   • Percentage of female undergraduates and researchers at Tokyo University (20% undergraduates are women).
4. Indicators related to SDG 10:
   • Access to capital for female entrepreneurs compared to male counterparts.
   • Reports and surveys on sexual harassment and discrimination in the workplace.

4. SDGs, Targets and Indicators Table

Source: bbc.com