With the election of Sanae Takaichi as prime minister this week, Japan joined the ranks of countries that have had a woman serve as head of state or government since World War II.

As of the end of July this year, the number stood at 82, or about 43 pct, of the United Nations’ 193 member states, according to the U.S. think tank Council on Foreign Relations.

Female leadership is no longer confined to northern Europe, often viewed as a global front-runner on gender equality. For instance, in Mexico, where traditional, male-centered norms remain strong, Claudia Sheinbaum was inaugurated as president last year, underscoring how commonplace women’s leadership has become worldwide.

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