🔗 Share this article

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

This signifies a patriarchal society and a political system that has long been dominated by men is now led by a female.

But while the optics suggest a forward-thinking era, certain females do not view her as an advocate for change.

“It was quite interesting to see how individuals beyond Japan's borders have responded to the news,” a 21-year-old says.

“Everyone's like, ‘wow, she's the inaugural woman prime minister in the nation's past and that would be a great opportunity for female advancement and equal rights in Japan’.

In my opinion that's a rather simplistic interpretation.”

Conversely, the young woman highlights her “ideological stance and what she represents,” adding: “She perpetuates 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.

Similar to Thatcher, Takaichi is a staunch conservative.

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 parties further to the right.

Takaichi opposes same-sex marriage and has consistently voted against legislation that would permit spouses to have separate surnames, blocking many women from retaining their maiden names.

Additionally, she is opposed to women being in eligible for the throne in the imperial family.

Nonetheless, she moderated certain her messaging during her election bid – stating she favours giving financial benefits to businesses that offer childcare facilities to their staff and spoke of potential deductions for households spending on childcare.

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

Regarding women's issues, Takaichi is consistent with her country's less than impressive record on gender issues.

The Country's Inequality in Perspective

Women in Japan are some of the most highly educated and highest qualified in the world and yet they face challenges with the expectations of a traditional culture that still pushes them into conventional positions.

According to the 2025 equality ranking by the World Economic Forum, Japan ranked 118th among 148 nations, with female representation in the field of politics notably low.

Leadership positions have historically been held by men and Japan has faced difficulties to increase the quantity of female lawmakers and corporate executives.

The world's fourth largest economy places at the bottom among the G7 countries when it comes to the percentage of women in its legislative body. Specifically, females constitute about less than 16% of legislators in Japan, the lowest figure among the G7.

It is even slow when it comes to female healthcare: only this week was it announced that the “emergency” pill – a form of emergency contraception sold over the counter in more than 90 nations – had finally been approved for over the counter use in Japan.

Mixed Responses to the Landmark Leadership

Nonetheless, certain individuals view Takaichi's rise to power as a pivotal moment that could change how females view their opportunities.

“There is great significance in Ms Takaichi becoming prime minister, with a wider influence on the public,” a former mayor – who became the nation's youngest female mayor in 2012 – told Japan's Kyodo news agency.

Koshi argued Japan having a woman prime minister will “reduce psychological barriers” for women and girls, helping them feel it is acceptable to “stand out” as leaders in companies and the community, even as gender-based stereotypes and norms still persist.

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

“She's also not really challenging the grain. She's saying the identical views as the male politicians.”

Ms Hill-Uekawa adds that she ought not be placed on a pedestal just due to the fact she is a female.

“It is essential to make sure we're talking about her agenda. We must be capable of criticise her fairly as all other leaders.”

Ideological Context and Associations

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 evident by who her champions within the LDP have been.

She was mentored of the late ex- conservative prime minister a previous leader, and was backed in the party vote 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.

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

“I believe that it is challenging for women to somewhat relate to her success because it promotes this idea that we must be obedient with the status quo,” young adult a citizen remarks.

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

“They will demand us to be compliant, not oppose the ideals that they have, and it could render our job more difficult.”

Future Obstacles and Expectations

Making history, however, was just the first of the difficulties Takaichi will encounter – not least tackling a slow growth and rising prices and regaining the confidence of a frustrated 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 gender equality issues to be a top priority on her agenda.