🔗 Share this article

For many female youth in Japan today, the sight of Sanae Takaichi assuming leadership as the nation's inaugural woman leader is powerful and formative.

It means a male-oriented culture and a political system that has historically been controlled by men is now led by a woman.

However, although the appearances speak of a forward-thinking era, some women do not view her as an advocate for change.

“It was quite fascinating to see how people beyond Japan's borders have responded to the announcement,” Ayda Ogura states.

“Everyone's like, ‘wow, she's the first female prime minister in the nation's past and that would be a significant chance for women empowerment and gender equality in Japan’.

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

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

A big fan of Margaret Thatcher, 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 tactical move from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party to attract the increasingly right-leaning supporters which had recently gravitated towards Japan's more extreme conservative groups.

Takaichi opposes marriage equality and has consistently voted against legislation that would permit spouses to have different last names, blocking many women from retaining their birth surnames.

Additionally, she is against women being in line for succession in the imperial family.

However, she moderated some of her statements during her election bid – saying she supports giving tax incentives to companies that provide childcare facilities to their employees and mentioned potential deductions for families spending on childcare.

Yet she has historically backed the notion of a conventional role for females in society and in the family.

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

Japan's Inequality in Context

Japanese women 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 World Economic Forum, Japan placed 118th among nearly 150 countries, with women's presence in the political arena notably low.

Leadership positions have historically been held by men and Japan has struggled to boost the number of female lawmakers and corporate executives.

The globally fourth biggest economy ranks at the bottom among the G7 countries when it comes to the percentage of women in its national parliament. In detail, females constitute about less than 16% of legislators in Japan, the smallest proportion among the seven major economies.

It is even slow when it comes to female healthcare: recently was it announced that the “morning after” pill – a type of emergency contraception available without prescription in more than 90 countries – had finally been approved for over the counter use in Japan.

Differing Reactions to the Historic Leadership

Even so, certain individuals view Takaichi's ascent as a critical juncture that could alter how women perceive their prospects.

“It is highly meaningful in the new prime minister becoming prime minister, with a broader impact on society,” Naomi Koshi – who was elected as the country's youngest female city leader in 2012 – informed Japan's Kyodo news agency.

Koshi argued Japan electing a female prime minister will “reduce psychological barriers” for females of all ages, helping them feel it is normal to “excel” as authorities in businesses and society, even as gender-based stereotypes and norms still persist.

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

“Additionally, she is not really challenging the norm. She expresses 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 female.

“We need to make sure we're discussing her policies. We must be capable of criticise her fairly as all other leaders.”

Political Background and Associations

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

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

She was mentored of the late ex- hawkish prime minister a previous leader, and was backed in the leadership election by a senior politician – a senior figure in the ruling party at the leadership of one of the ruling party's most influential conservative blocs.

His faction's backing for Sanae Takaichi was crucial in uniting the party's right wing behind her.

“I believe that it is challenging for females to somewhat relate to her achievement because it furthers this notion that we must be obedient with the existing system,” 21-year-old a citizen remarks.

The 21-year-old concurs, saying that with her as a symbol for females in government, “people are likely to anticipate the identical from us as too”.

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

Future Challenges and Anticipations

Achieving this milestone, however, was only the initial of the challenges Takaichi will face – including addressing a slow growth and rising prices and winning back the trust of a discontented and angry voting public, as in addition to hosting the US leader within a short time of taking power.

It's safe to say that few anticipate women's rights matters to be a top priority on her priority list.