🔗 Share this article

For many young girls in Japan today, the image of Sanae Takaichi taking the helm as the nation's inaugural woman leader is impactful and influential.

This signifies a male-oriented culture and a political system that has long been dominated by men is currently headed by a woman.

However, although the appearances speak of a progressive moment, some women do not view her as an advocate for change.

It was rather interesting to observe how people beyond Japan's borders have reacted to the news,” a 21-year-old says.

People are saying, ‘wow, she's the first female prime minister in Japanese history and that would be a great opportunity for female advancement and gender equality in Japan’.

“I think that's a rather simplistic view.”

Conversely, Ms Ogura points to her “political beliefs and what she stands for,” adding: “She reinforces the male-dominated structure.”

A strong admirer of Britain's first female prime minister, Sanae Takaichi has always wanted to be the “Steel Magnolia” of her country.

And like Thatcher, Takaichi is a firm conservative.

Observers say her leadership is a strategic decision from the ruling LDP to attract the more conservative supporters which had recently gravitated towards Japan's parties further to the right.

Takaichi opposes marriage equality and has long stood against laws that would allow married couples to have separate surnames, blocking many women from keeping their birth surnames.

She's also opposed to women being in line for succession in the royal household.

However, she moderated some of her statements during her election bid – stating she favours giving tax incentives to businesses that offer childcare facilities to their staff and mentioned potential deductions for households spending on childcare.

Yet she has over the years supported the idea of a conventional role for females in society and in the home.

When it comes to women's issues, Takaichi is consistent with her nation's subpar performance on gender issues.

Japan's Gender Gap in Perspective

Women in Japan are among the most highly educated and highest qualified in the globe and yet they face challenges with the expectations of a traditional culture that still directs them into traditional roles.

Based on the 2025 gender gap index by the global organization, Japan ranked 118th out of among nearly 150 nations, with female representation in the field of politics particularly minimal.

Leadership positions have historically been held by males and Japan has faced difficulties to increase the quantity of women legislators and business leaders.

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

It is even slow when it comes to women's reproductive health: recently was it revealed that the “emergency” pill – a type of post-coital birth control sold over the counter in over ninety nations – had finally been approved for over the counter use in Japan.

Differing Responses to the Historic Leadership

Nonetheless, some see Takaichi's ascent as a pivotal moment that could alter how women view their opportunities.

“It is highly meaningful in the new prime minister becoming prime minister, with a broader impact on the public,” a former mayor – who became the country's most youthful woman mayor in 2012 – told local media.

She contended Japan electing a female prime minister will “lower mental obstacles” for women and girls, enabling them to believe it is acceptable to “excel” as leaders in businesses and the community, despite gender-based stereotypes and expectations still persist.

However a 20-year-old notes that, while it is remarkable Japan has its inaugural woman prime minister, one must remember it required her more than 30 years to get to that office.

“Additionally, she is not really challenging the norm. She's saying the identical views as the men.”

Ms Hill-Uekawa further states that she shouldn't be put on a platform just due to the fact she is a woman.

“It is essential to ensure we're discussing her policies. We need to be capable of evaluate her equally as everyone else.”

Ideological Context and Associations

It is not just what Takaichi has said which has caused individuals to describe her as a defender of the patriarchy.

Additionally, it is apparent by who her supporters within the LDP have been.

She was mentored of the deceased ex- conservative prime minister Shinzo Abe, and was endorsed in the leadership election by a senior politician – a prominent member in the LDP at the leadership of one of the government's most powerful conservative blocs.

Their group's backing for Sanae Takaichi was crucial in consolidating the party's right wing in her favor.

“I believe that it is challenging for women to somewhat identify with her achievement because it furthers this notion that we must be compliant with the status quo,” young adult a citizen says.

Ms Ogura concurs, stating that with her as a figurehead for females in government, “people are likely to anticipate the same from us as well”.

“They're going to expect women to be conforming, not oppose the ideals that they hold, and it might make our role more difficult.”

Future Challenges and Expectations

Making history, however, was just the first of the difficulties Takaichi will encounter – not least tackling a slow growth and inflation and regaining the trust of a frustrated and irate voting public, as well as welcoming the US leader within days of assuming office.

It's safe to say that few anticipate gender equality issues to be high on her priority list.