🔗 Share this article

For many young girls in Japan currently, the sight of Sanae Takaichi taking the helm as the nation's first ever female leader is powerful and formative.

It means a male-oriented culture and a government structure that has historically been controlled by men is now led by a female.

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

“It was quite interesting to observe how individuals outside Japan have reacted to the news,” Ayda Ogura says.

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

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

Instead, Ms Ogura points to her “political beliefs and what she represents,” adding: “She perpetuates the patriarchal system.”

A strong admirer of Margaret Thatcher, Sanae Takaichi has long aspired to be the “Iron Lady” of her country.

Similar to Thatcher, Takaichi is a firm conservative.

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

Takaichi opposes marriage equality and has consistently voted against legislation that would permit married couples to have separate surnames, blocking many women from retaining their birth surnames.

Additionally, she is opposed to females being in line for succession in the imperial family.

Nonetheless, she did soften certain her messaging during her campaign – stating she favours giving financial benefits to companies that provide childcare facilities to their employees and mentioned potential deductions for families spending on childcare.

But she has over the years backed the notion of a conventional role for women in society and in the home.

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

The Country's Gender Gap in Perspective

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

According to the 2025 gender gap index by the World Economic Forum, Japan ranked 118th out of among nearly 150 nations, with female representation in the field of politics notably low.

Leadership positions have traditionally been dominated by men and Japan has struggled to increase the number of women legislators and business leaders.

The globally fourth biggest economic power places at the bottom among the G7 countries when it comes to the percentage of females in its national parliament. Specifically, women make up about less than 16% of lawmakers in Japan, the lowest figure among the G7.

Progress is also sluggish when it comes to female healthcare: recently was it revealed that the “emergency” pill – a type of emergency contraception available without prescription in more than 90 nations – had at last been authorized for over the counter use in Japan.

Differing Responses to the Historic Appointment

Nonetheless, certain individuals view Takaichi's ascent as a pivotal moment that could change how women view their prospects.

“It is highly meaningful in Ms Takaichi becoming prime minister, with a broader impact on the public,” a former mayor – who became the country's youngest female mayor in 2012 – told Japan's Kyodo news agency.

She contended Japan electing a female prime minister will “lower psychological barriers” for females of all ages, enabling them to believe it is acceptable to “stand out” as leaders in companies and the community, despite biased expectations and expectations still persist.

However a 20-year-old points out that, while it is remarkable Japan has its first female leader, it is important to recall it took her more than 30 years to reach that office.

“She's also not really challenging the norm. She's saying the same thing as the male politicians.”

The young woman adds 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 policies. We need to be able to evaluate her equally as everyone else.”

Ideological Context and Influences

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

Additionally, it is apparent by which individuals her champions within the LDP have been.

She was mentored of the late former conservative prime minister a previous leader, and was endorsed in the party vote by a senior politician – a senior figure in the ruling party at the head of one of the ruling party's most influential right-wing factions.

Their group's support for Sanae Takaichi was pivotal in uniting the conservative wing in her favor.

“I believe that it is difficult for women to somewhat identify with her success because it furthers this notion that we must be obedient with the existing system,” young adult a citizen remarks.

The 21-year-old concurs, stating that with her as a symbol for women in government, “the public are going to expect the identical from women as well”.

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

Future Challenges and Anticipations

Making history, however, was only the initial of the challenges Takaichi will face – including addressing a sluggish economy and inflation and regaining the trust of a discontented and irate electorate, as in addition to welcoming president Trump within a short time of taking power.

It's safe to say that few anticipate gender equality issues to be a top priority on her agenda.