Eighty years after women gained suffrage in Japan, a significant gender gap persists in political representation

Women first exercised their right to vote 80 years ago, yet a significant gender gap persists in political representation. In the 1946 general election, approximately 13.8 million women voted, leading to the election of 39 female lawmakers, marking a new era for Japanese parliamentary democracy. Despite progress, including the election of the first female prime minister in 2025, the number of women in parliament remains low, highlighting the need for societal efforts in identifying and supporting female political talent.