🔗 Share this article

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

This signifies a male-oriented culture and a government structure that has long been dominated by men is now led by a female.

However, although the appearances speak of a progressive moment, certain females do not view her as an champion of progress.

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

“Everyone's like, ‘wow, she's the inaugural woman prime minister in Japanese history and that would be a significant chance for women empowerment and equal rights in Japan’.

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

Conversely, the young woman points to her “political beliefs and what she stands for,” adding: “She perpetuates the patriarchal system.”

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

Similar to Thatcher, Takaichi is a staunch right-wing politician.

Analysts note her leadership is a tactical move from the ruling LDP to attract the more conservative supporters which had recently gravitated towards Japan's more extreme conservative groups.

The leader is against same-sex marriage and has long stood against legislation that would permit married couples to have separate surnames, blocking many females from keeping their maiden names.

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

Nonetheless, she moderated certain her messaging during her campaign – stating she favours giving tax incentives to businesses that provide daycare services to their staff and mentioned possible tax breaks for households investing in child-rearing.

Yet she has over the years supported the notion of a more traditional position for females in the community and in the family.

Regarding women's issues, Takaichi is aligned with her country's subpar performance on gender issues.

Japan's Gender Gap in Perspective

Japanese women are some of the best educated and most skilled in the globe and yet they struggle with the demands of a conservative society that still directs them into conventional positions.

Based on the 2025 gender gap index by the global organization, Japan ranked 118th among nearly 150 countries, with women's presence in the political arena particularly minimal.

Leadership positions have historically been held by males and Japan has struggled to increase the number of female lawmakers and business leaders.

The world's fourth largest economy places last among the Group of Seven nations when it comes to the percentage of women in its legislative body. Specifically, females make up about less than 16% of lawmakers in Japan, the smallest proportion among the G7.

Progress is also sluggish when it comes to women's reproductive health: recently was it revealed that the “emergency” pill – a type of post-coital birth control available without prescription in more than 90 countries – had at last been authorized for non-prescription sales in Japan.

Mixed Responses to the Landmark Leadership

Even so, some see Takaichi's ascent as a critical juncture that could change how females view their prospects.

“It is highly meaningful in the new prime minister assuming the role of prime minister, with a broader impact on the public,” a former mayor – who was elected as the nation's youngest female city leader in 2012 – told local media.

Koshi argued Japan having a female prime minister will “reduce psychological barriers” for females of all ages, enabling them to believe it is normal to “excel” as leaders in companies and society, even as gender-based stereotypes and norms still persist.

However Audrey Hill-Uekawa points out that, while it is remarkable Japan has its first female leader, one must remember it required her more than 30 years to get to that position.

“Additionally, she is not really going against the norm. She's saying the same thing as the male politicians.”

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

“We need to make sure we're talking about her agenda. We need to be able to evaluate her equally as everyone else.”

Ideological Background and Associations

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

Additionally, it is evident by which individuals her champions inside the party have were.

She was mentored of the late former hawkish prime minister Shinzo Abe, and was backed in the party vote by a senior politician – a prominent member in the ruling party at the leadership of one of the ruling party's most influential conservative blocs.

Their group's support for Sanae Takaichi was crucial in uniting the party's right wing behind her.

“I do feel that it is challenging for females to sort of identify with her success because it promotes this notion that we have to be obedient with the status quo,” young adult Minori Konishi says.

Ms Ogura concurs, saying that with her as a figurehead for women in politics, “people are going to expect the same from women as well”.

“They will demand us to be conforming, not oppose the beliefs that they hold, and it could render our role harder.”

Upcoming Challenges and Expectations

Making history, though, was only the initial of the difficulties Takaichi will encounter – including addressing a slow growth and inflation and regaining the confidence of a discontented and irate electorate, as in addition to welcoming president Trump within days of assuming office.

One can reasonably assume that no-one expects gender equality issues to be a top priority on her priority list.