🔗 Share this article

To numerous young girls in Japan currently, the image of Sanae Takaichi assuming leadership as the nation's inaugural woman leader is powerful and influential.

This signifies a patriarchal society and a government structure that has historically been controlled by men is now led by a woman.

But while the optics suggest a forward-thinking era, certain females do not view her as an champion of progress.

“It was quite interesting to see how individuals beyond Japan's borders have responded to the news,” Ayda Ogura says.

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

“I think that's a very naive interpretation.”

Conversely, the young woman highlights her “ideological stance and what she represents,” noting: “She perpetuates the patriarchal system.”

A big fan of Britain's first female prime minister, Sanae Takaichi has long aspired to be the “Steel Magnolia” of her nation.

And like Thatcher, Takaichi is a firm right-wing politician.

Observers say her ascension is a tactical move from the governing LDP to appeal to the more conservative base which had lately shifted towards Japan's more extreme conservative groups.

The leader is against marriage equality and has consistently voted against laws that would allow spouses to have separate surnames, preventing many women from keeping their maiden names.

She's also opposed to women being in line for succession in the imperial family.

Nonetheless, she did soften some of her messaging during her election bid – stating she supports giving financial benefits to companies that offer daycare services to their employees and spoke of possible tax breaks for families spending on child-rearing.

But she has over the years supported the idea of a conventional role for women in society and in the family.

When it comes to women's issues, Takaichi is consistent with her country's less than impressive performance on gender issues.

The Country's Gender Gap in Perspective

Women in Japan are some of the best educated and most skilled in the world and yet they face challenges with the expectations of a traditional culture that still directs them into conventional positions.

Based on the 2025 equality ranking by the World Economic Forum, Japan placed 118th among nearly 150 countries, with female representation in the political arena particularly minimal.

Top roles have traditionally been dominated by males and Japan has faced difficulties to boost the number of women legislators and business leaders.

The world's fourth largest economic power ranks last among the G7 countries when it comes to the percentage of women in its national parliament. In detail, women make up about less than 16% of lawmakers in Japan, the smallest proportion among the seven major economies.

Progress is also sluggish when it comes to women's reproductive health: only this week was it revealed that the “emergency” pill – a form of post-coital birth control available without prescription in over ninety nations – had at last been authorized for over the counter use in Japan.

Mixed Responses to the Landmark Appointment

Even so, some see Takaichi's ascent as a critical juncture that could alter how women view their opportunities.

“There is great significance 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 mayor in 2012 – informed Japan's Kyodo news agency.

She contended Japan electing a female prime minister will “reduce mental obstacles” for females of all ages, helping them feel it is acceptable to “stand out” as leaders in companies and the community, even as biased expectations and expectations still persist.

However Audrey Hill-Uekawa points out that, while it is notable Japan has its inaugural woman leader, it is important to recall it required her over three decades to get to that position.

“Additionally, she is not really going against the grain. She expresses the same thing as the men.”

Ms Hill-Uekawa further states that she ought not be placed on a pedestal simply because she is a woman.

“It is essential to ensure we're talking about her agenda. We need to be able to criticise her equally as all other leaders.”

Ideological Context and Influences

It is not just what Takaichi has stated which has caused individuals to describe her as a supporter of the male-dominated system.

It's also evident by who her champions inside the party have were.

She was mentored of the late former hawkish prime minister Shinzo Abe, and was backed in the leadership election by Taro Aso – a prominent member in the ruling party at the leadership of one of the ruling party's most powerful right-wing factions.

Their group's support for Sanae Takaichi was crucial in consolidating the conservative wing behind her.

“I believe that it is difficult for females to sort of identify with her achievement because it furthers this idea that we must be compliant with the existing system,” young adult a citizen says.

Ms Ogura agrees, saying that with her as a symbol for females in politics, “the public are going to expect the identical from us as too”.

“They will demand us to be compliant, not oppose the beliefs that they have, and it could render our role more difficult.”

Future Challenges and Expectations

Achieving this milestone, however, was only the initial of the difficulties Takaichi will face – not least addressing a slow growth and rising prices and regaining the confidence of a frustrated and angry voting public, as in addition to welcoming president Trump within a short time of assuming office.

It's safe to say that few anticipate women's rights matters to be high on her agenda.