Japan ranks 117th in gender equality, with no clear effect from first female PM

Japan has slipped one spot to rank 117th out of 145 countries in the 2026 Global Gender Gap Report, published by the World Economic Forum on September 16. Despite Sanae Takaichi assuming the role of Japan's first female Prime Minister in October, the country has only made minimal progress in reducing gender disparities, particularly in politics and the economy, according to the report.

Utilizing an index to measure gender equality across 14 indicators in four dimensions - political empowerment, economic participation and opportunity, educational attainment, and health and survival - Japan scored 0.67, a figure largely unchanged from the previous year's 0.666. In political empowerment, Japan improved by four places to rank 121st, with a score of 0.105, primarily due to Takaichi's appointment.

However, the gender balance in the Cabinet and the limited number of women in the lower house of parliament continue to hinder the country's progress. Japan's economic standing worsened, dropping to 119th from 112th, with a score of 0.609, reflecting a widening gender gap in managerial positions and a growing wage disparity between men and women in similar roles.

The country still shows a near parity in education and health, ranking 68th and 49th respectively, with scores of 0.994 and 0.973, both unchanged from the previous year. The World Economic Forum notes that gender gaps are narrowing across most countries, but warns of a concerning trend of regression, especially in political empowerment.

At the current rate of progress, the organization projects it will take 120 more years to achieve full gender parity globally.