🔗 Share this article

To numerous young girls in Japan today, the image of Sanae Takaichi assuming leadership as the country's first ever woman prime minister is impactful and formative.

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

But while the appearances speak of a forward-thinking era, some women don't see her as an advocate for change.

“It was quite interesting to see how individuals outside Japan have reacted to the announcement,” 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 women empowerment and equal rights in Japan’.

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

Instead, the young woman points to her “ideological stance and what she stands for,” noting: “She perpetuates the patriarchal system.”

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

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

Observers say her leadership is a strategic decision from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party to appeal to the more conservative 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 permit spouses to have separate surnames, blocking many women from retaining their birth surnames.

Additionally, she is against women being in line for succession in the royal household.

However, she moderated some of her statements during her campaign – saying she supports giving financial benefits to companies that provide daycare services to their staff and mentioned potential deductions for households investing in child-rearing.

Yet she has over the years supported the idea of a more traditional role for women in the community and in the family.

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

The Country's Inequality in Perspective

Japanese women 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 pushes them into conventional positions.

According to the 2025 gender gap index by the global organization, Japan placed 118th among 148 nations, with female representation in the political arena particularly minimal.

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

The globally fourth biggest economic power ranks at the bottom among the Group of Seven nations when it comes to the share of women in its national parliament. In detail, females make up about 15.7% of legislators in Japan, the lowest figure among the G7.

It is even slow when it comes to women's reproductive health: only this week was it revealed that the “emergency” pill – a form of emergency contraception sold over the counter in more than 90 countries – had finally been approved for over the counter use in Japan.

Mixed Responses to the Landmark Leadership

Even so, some see Takaichi's rise to power as a critical juncture that could change how women view their opportunities.

“It is highly meaningful in Ms Takaichi assuming the role of prime minister, with a broader impact on the public,” Naomi Koshi – who was elected as the country's most youthful woman mayor in 2012 – told local media.

She contended Japan electing a female prime minister will “lower psychological barriers” for women and girls, helping them feel it is normal to “stand out” as leaders in businesses and society, even as biased expectations and norms still persist.

But a 20-year-old points out that, while it is notable Japan has its first female leader, one must remember it required her more than 30 years to get to that office.

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

The young woman adds that she shouldn't be put on a pedestal simply because she is a woman.

“We need to ensure we're talking about her policies. We need to be capable of criticise her equally as everyone else.”

Ideological Background and Associations

It is not just what Takaichi has stated which has led people to label her as a defender of the patriarchy.

It's also evident by who her champions within the LDP have been.

She's the protégé of the deceased former conservative prime minister a previous leader, and was endorsed in the party vote by Taro Aso – a prominent member in the LDP at the head of one of the government's most powerful conservative blocs.

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

“I do feel that it is challenging for females to sort of identify with her success because it furthers this notion that we must be compliant with the status quo,” 21-year-old a citizen remarks.

The 21-year-old agrees, stating that with her as a symbol for females in government, “the public are likely to anticipate the same from women as well”.

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

Future Challenges and Anticipations

Making history, though, was only the initial of the difficulties Takaichi will encounter – including tackling a slow growth and rising prices and winning back the confidence of a discontented and angry electorate, as in addition to hosting president Trump within days of taking power.

One can reasonably assume that few anticipate gender equality issues to be a top priority on her priority list.