Why isn’t the Election of Japan’s First Female Prime Minister regarded as a Feminist Victory?

On October 25th, Japan elected its first female Prime Minister, Sanae Takaichi, in a landslide victory in Parliament. Unlike political wins for women, Takaichi’s win has received mixed reactions from prominent feminists all over the globe for her extreme, far-right, conservative values. Since 1993, Takaichi has been a leading figure within Japan’s Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). Her victory, which was supposed to break historical barriers in the glass ceiling, has instead signified a shift to the right for the historically moderate party.

GlobeNadia MassoumiJanuary 4, 2026international, japan, sanae takaichi, nadia massoumi, elections, feminismComment