🔗 Share this article

To numerous female youth in Japan today, the image of Sanae Takaichi assuming leadership as the country's inaugural female prime minister is impactful and influential.

This signifies a patriarchal society and a political system that has long been dominated by men is now led by a female.

However, although the appearances suggest a progressive moment, some women do not view her as an champion of progress.

It was rather fascinating to observe how individuals outside Japan have reacted to the announcement,” a 21-year-old says.

People are saying, ‘wow, she's the inaugural woman prime minister in the nation's past and that would be a significant chance for female advancement and equal rights in Japan’.

In my opinion that's a very naive view.”

Conversely, Ms Ogura points to her “ideological stance and what she stands for,” adding: “She perpetuates the male-dominated structure.”

A big fan of Britain's first female prime minister, Sanae Takaichi has always wanted to be the “Iron Lady” of her country.

And like Thatcher, Takaichi is a firm conservative.

Analysts note her ascension is a strategic decision from the ruling LDP to appeal to the increasingly right-leaning base which had recently gravitated towards Japan's parties further to the right.

Takaichi opposes marriage equality and has long stood against legislation that would allow spouses to have separate surnames, preventing many females from retaining their maiden names.

She's also against females being in eligible for the throne in the royal household.

However, she moderated certain her messaging during her election bid – stating she supports giving financial benefits to companies that provide childcare facilities to their employees and spoke of possible tax breaks for families investing in child-rearing.

Yet she has historically backed the idea of a more traditional role for women in the community and in the family.

When it comes to gender matters, Takaichi is consistent with her nation's less than impressive record on gender issues.

Japan's Inequality in Perspective

Japanese women are among the most highly educated and most skilled in the world and yet they face challenges with the demands of a conservative society that still pushes them into traditional roles.

Based on the 2025 equality ranking by the global organization, Japan placed 118th among nearly 150 countries, with women's presence in the field of politics particularly minimal.

Leadership positions have traditionally been dominated by men and Japan has struggled to increase the quantity of women legislators and corporate executives.

The globally fourth biggest economy ranks at the bottom among the G7 countries when it comes to the percentage of women in its legislative body. In detail, females constitute about less than 16% of legislators in Japan, the lowest figure among the G7.

Progress is also sluggish when it comes to female healthcare: only this week was it revealed that the “emergency” pill – a type of post-coital birth control sold over the counter in more than 90 nations – had at last been authorized for over the counter use in Japan.

Mixed Responses to the Landmark Leadership

Nonetheless, some see Takaichi's rise to power as a critical juncture that could change how females perceive their prospects.

“It is highly meaningful in the new prime minister becoming prime minister, with a wider influence on the public,” a former mayor – who was elected as the nation's youngest female city leader in 2012 – informed local media.

She contended Japan electing a female prime minister will “reduce mental obstacles” for women and girls, helping them feel it is normal to “stand out” as leaders in businesses and society, despite biased expectations and expectations still persist.

But Audrey Hill-Uekawa notes that, while it is remarkable Japan has its first female prime minister, it is important to recall it required her more than 30 years to get to that office.

“She's also not really going against the norm. She expresses the same thing as the male politicians.”

The young woman adds that she ought not be placed on a platform just due to the fact she is a female.

“We need to make sure we're talking about her policies. We must be capable of evaluate her equally as everyone else.”

Political Background and Influences

It is not just what Takaichi has stated which has led people to label her as a supporter of the male-dominated system.

It's also apparent by which individuals her champions within the LDP have been.

She was mentored of the deceased ex- conservative prime minister a previous leader, and was endorsed in the leadership election by a senior politician – a senior figure in the LDP at the head of one of the government's most influential right-wing factions.

His faction's backing for Sanae Takaichi was crucial in uniting the conservative wing behind her.

“I do feel that it is difficult for women to sort of identify with her success because it furthers this idea that we must be obedient with the status quo,” 21-year-old Minori Konishi remarks.

The 21-year-old concurs, stating that with her as a figurehead for females in government, “people are likely to anticipate the identical from women as well”.

“They're going to expect us to be conforming, not go against the ideals that they hold, and it might make our role harder.”

Upcoming Challenges and Expectations

Achieving this milestone, however, was only the initial of the difficulties Takaichi will encounter – including tackling a slow growth and rising prices and winning back the trust of a frustrated and angry voting public, as in addition to hosting the US leader within days of assuming office.

One can reasonably assume that few anticipate women's rights matters to be high on her priority list.