FOCUS: Japan’s 1st female PM to be scrutinized over gender equality – Japan Wire by KYODO NEWS

Report on Japan’s Political Leadership and Progress Towards Sustainable Development Goals

1. Introduction: A Milestone for Gender Equality (SDG 5)

The appointment of Sanae Takaichi as Japan’s first female prime minister marks a significant, symbolic achievement in the nation’s progress towards Sustainable Development Goal 5 (Gender Equality). This development directly addresses SDG Target 5.5, which calls for ensuring women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership in political life. Takaichi’s rise to the head of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party and the premiership breaks a significant barrier in a traditionally male-dominated political landscape.

2. Assessment of Japan’s Gender Equality Landscape

Despite this landmark appointment, Japan faces substantial challenges in achieving broader gender equality, as reflected in international metrics and domestic political representation. These challenges highlight the gap between symbolic representation and systemic change required by the SDGs.

• Global Ranking: According to the 2025 World Economic Forum gender gap index, Japan is ranked 118th out of 148 countries, indicating significant disparities and a challenge to SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).
• Political Underrepresentation: Female representation in the national legislature remains low, which is a key indicator for SDG Target 5.5.
  1. Women account for only 15% of the 465 members in the House of Representatives.
  2. Women hold approximately 30% of the seats in the 248-member House of Councillors.
• International Context: Japan has lagged behind other G7 nations like Canada, Germany, Italy, and Britain, as well as regional neighbors such as South Korea, Taiwan, and New Zealand, in appointing a female head of government.

3. Analysis of Potential Impacts on SDG 5 Targets

Expert analysis presents a dual perspective on Prime Minister Takaichi’s potential impact on advancing SDG 5. While her position is a powerful symbol, her policy stances raise concerns about substantive progress on legislative reforms for gender equality.

3.1. Positive Implications for Female Empowerment

• Inspirational Role Model: Takaichi’s premiership may lower “psychological barriers” for women and girls, encouraging them to pursue leadership roles in politics and business, thereby fostering a pipeline of future leaders.
• Normalization of Female Leadership: Her visibility could help normalize the presence of women in high-level decision-making positions, contributing to a long-term cultural shift in line with the aims of SDG 5.

3.2. Concerns Regarding Policy and Legislative Advancement

• Opposition to Key Reforms: Takaichi’s consistent opposition to allowing married couples to retain separate surnames is a major point of contention. This policy is seen by activists as a critical step towards gender equality, and opposition to it may hinder progress on SDG Target 5.c, which advocates for strengthening policies that promote gender equality.
• Conservative Alignment: Her reliance on support from conservative factions within the LDP suggests that policies challenging traditional family structures, which are often seen as barriers to gender equality, are unlikely to be advanced.
• Skepticism from Civil Society: Gender equality advocates, such as Mari Hamada of Stand by Women, express doubt that Takaichi’s tenure will lead to substantial progress, citing her clear opposition to key legislative changes like the dual-surname system.

4. Conclusion: Symbolic Progress vs. Substantive Reform

The elevation of Sanae Takaichi to prime minister is a historic milestone for Japan, fulfilling a key aspect of SDG Target 5.5 regarding women’s participation in top-level political leadership. However, there is significant concern that this symbolic victory may not translate into the substantive policy and legislative reforms necessary to achieve the broader goals of SDG 5. The prime minister’s conservative stance on critical gender issues, particularly the single-surname system for married couples, suggests that progress on systemic gender inequality may remain limited. The ultimate impact of her premiership will be determined by whether her presence can inspire societal change despite a policy agenda that may not actively advance legislative gender equality.

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

SDG 5: Gender Equality

• The article’s central theme is gender equality in Japan, focusing on the political sphere. It discusses the appointment of the country’s first female prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, as a major step towards this goal. The text repeatedly highlights the underrepresentation of women in leadership roles, citing Japan’s low ranking in the World Economic Forum’s gender gap index and the small percentage of female members in parliament.

SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

• This goal is relevant because the article examines the inclusivity and representativeness of Japan’s political institutions. The discussion about the low proportion of women in the House of Representatives and House of Councillors directly relates to the need for more participatory and representative decision-making bodies. The appointment of a female prime minister is presented as a significant event for the country’s political institutions.

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

SDG 5: Gender Equality

• 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. The article directly addresses this target by discussing Sanae Takaichi becoming the first female prime minister and head of the ruling party. It also mentions Yuriko Koike as Tokyo’s first female governor and the work of a company that “introduces female outside directors to Japanese companies,” highlighting the need for female leadership in both political and economic spheres.
• Target 5.1: End all forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere. This target is connected to the debate over allowing married couples to retain separate surnames. The article notes that under the current system, “it is usually the female partner who gives up her name,” which can be seen as a form of legal and social discrimination. Takaichi’s opposition to changing this system is presented as a barrier to progress on this issue.

SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

• Target 16.7: Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making at all levels. The article’s data on female political representation directly relates to this target. It states that “women account for only around 15 percent of the 465 members of the House of Representatives” and “about 30 percent in the 248-member House of Councillors.” These statistics illustrate the lack of representative decision-making in Japan’s national legislature.

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

Indicators for SDG 5

• Indicator 5.5.1: Proportion of seats held by women in (a) national parliaments and (b) local governments. The article provides specific data for this indicator. For national parliament, it states women hold “around 15 percent” of seats in the House of Representatives and “about 30 percent” in the House of Councillors. For local government, it mentions that “around a third of the Tokyo metropolitan assembly seats [are] filled by women.”
• Indicator 5.1.1: Whether or not legal frameworks are in place to promote, enforce and monitor equality and non-discrimination on the basis of sex. The article implies this indicator through its discussion of the “single family-name system under the Civil Code.” The existence of this law, which disproportionately affects women, serves as an indicator of a legal framework that is not fully aligned with gender equality.

Indicators for SDG 16

• Indicator 16.7.1: Proportions of positions (by sex…) in public institutions (national and local legislatures…). The same statistics used for Indicator 5.5.1 serve as a direct measure for this indicator. The percentages of women in the national parliament (15% and 30%) and the Tokyo metropolitan assembly (around a third) are concrete data points that measure the inclusiveness of these public institutions.

General Indicator

• The article mentions the World Economic Forum’s gender gap index, where “Japan ranked 118th among 148 countries.” While not an official SDG indicator, this composite index is a powerful tool for measuring overall progress on gender equality across political, economic, and social domains, and is directly relevant to the goals discussed.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: english.kyodonews.net