Japan's New President: A Conservative Leader with Complex Views on Women's Advancement

Sanae Takaichi, the newly elected president of Japan's Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), is likely to become the next prime minister. A 64-year-old ultra-conservative, Takaichi has a complex history of supporting women's advancement, but also adheres to traditional views favored by male party heavyweights. Despite being the first female president of the predominantly male LDP, her comments on gender issues have been limited, and experts say she might actually set back women's advancement.

Key Takeaways:

Takaichi has a long history of serving in key party and government posts, including minister of economic security, internal affairs, and gender equality, but has stuck to old-fashioned views on diversity and gender equality.
She has admitted to being a workaholic and has pledged to work "like a horse" and abandon the concept of "work-life balance."
Takaichi has vowed to increase the number of female ministers in her government, but experts say she might set back women's advancement due to her loyalty to influential male heavyweights.
She has supported financial support for women's health and fertility treatment, but also opposes same-sex marriage and a revision to civil law to allow separate surnames for married couples.
Takaichi is a wartime history revisionist and China hawk, which may complicate ties with Beijing and Seoul, and has also sparked concerns about her hawkish stance and potential partnership with far-right groups.

Statistics:

Only about 15% of Japan's lower house is occupied by women.
Only two of Japan's 47 prefectural governors are women.
Takaichi has backed financial support for women's health and fertility treatment as part of the LDP policy of having women serve in their traditional roles of being good mothers and wives.
Women occupy limited ministerial posts with the conservative Liberal Democratic Party, with female lawmakers being shunned for speaking up about diversity and gender equality.

Sources:

The Associated Press, "Japan's new party president vows to work 'like a horse'" (no date mentioned in the source)
The Associated Press, "Sanae Takaichi: Japan's new party president with complex views" (no date mentioned in the source)