Sanae Takaichi appoints just two women to cabinet after becoming Japan’s first female PM

<p>New leader had promised levels of female representation comparable to those in Iceland, where six of cabinet of 11 are women</p><p>Sanae Takaichi <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/oct/21/pm-sanae-takaichi-japan-prime-minister">made history</a> on Tuesday when she became <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/japan">Japan</a>’s first female prime minister. But hours after she was elected by MPs, it was evident that female <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/apr/07/i-decided-i-could-do-better-than-them-the-women-taking-on-japans-male-dominated-politics">under representation</a> in the country’s political establishment would continue when she appointed just two women to her cabinet.</p><p>Takaichi had promised levels of female representation in her government comparable to those in Iceland, Finland and Norway.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/oct/21/sanae-takaichi-japan-first-female-pm-appoints-two-women-to-cabinet">Continue reading...</a>