Japan continues to rank among lowest for gender equality

Asahi Shimbun

2 days ago

Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, center in the front row, appointed two women as members of his Cabinet. The photo was taken at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on Oct. 1, 2024. (Asahi Shimbun file photo)
BERLIN—Japan again ranked 118th out of 148 countries in terms of gender equality—the lowest among Group of Seven nations—according to the World Economic Forum (WEF)'s Global Gender Gap Report 2025.
The report, released June 12, ranks countries from most equal (highest) to least equal (lowest) by analyzing gender equality in four areas: education, health, politics and the economy.
The report indicates that worldwide progress has been slow, with global gender equality more than a century away at the current pace, and that accelerated efforts are needed.
However, the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump has implemented policies that actively hinder the promotion of diversity, including efforts to address gender disparities, making progress more difficult.
Assuming 100 percent represents complete gender equality, Japan's overall gender equality score was 66.6 percent this year, up 0.3 percent from the previous year.
Japan achieved a nearly 100 percent equality score in the areas of education and health, but lagged significantly behind in politics and the economy.
Japan scored just 8.5 percent in politics, down from 11.8 percent the previous year.
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's Cabinet, which was formed in October last year, has only two female members, while the Cabinet of previous Prime Minister Fumio Kishida had five women.
In the Lower House election held in October last year, a record high number of women were elected, but the ratio of women among all lawmakers in Japan is still only about 16 percent.
Meanwhile, Japan's equality score for the economy, which reflects women's representation among managers or directors at companies, rose to 61.3 percent this year, up from 56.8 percent the previous year.
The global overall gender equality score was 68.8 percent, up 0.3 percent from the previous year.
Worldwide, politics (equality score 22.9 percent) and the economy (equality score 61.0 percent) have large gender disparities, but both areas saw improvements in 2025.
However, the report estimates that achieving complete global gender equality at the current pace of improvement would take 123 years. The WEF emphasized that the lack of political participation for women is the greatest obstacle to global gender equality.
Meanwhile, movements against diversity have been growing around the world.
Trump has clearly stated opposition to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) efforts, and has issued executive orders to ban DEI programs in the federal government and related agencies.
Under pressure from conservative organizations, some U.S. firms are reducing their diversity efforts, such as dropping target ratios for women in management.
By country, Iceland maintained its position as the world's most gender-equal society for the 16th consecutive year, with a gender equality score of 92.6 percent. Finland ranked second with 87.9 percent, followed by Norway with 86.3 percent.
Pakistan ranked last with 56.7 percent.
The United States placed 42nd with 75.6 percent, South Korea ranked 101st with 68.7 percent and China ranked 103rd with 68.6 percent.
The United States, South Korea and China all ranked higher than Japan.