🔗 Share this article

To numerous young girls in Japan currently, the sight of Sanae Takaichi taking the helm as the country's inaugural female leader 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 woman.

But while the optics speak of a forward-thinking era, some women do not view her as an advocate for change.

“It was quite fascinating to see how individuals outside Japan have reacted to the news,” a 21-year-old states.

People are saying, ‘wow, she's the first female prime minister in Japanese history and that would be a significant chance for women empowerment and equal rights in Japan’.

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

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

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

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

Analysts note her ascension is a tactical move from the governing LDP to appeal to the increasingly right-leaning supporters which had recently gravitated towards Japan's more extreme conservative groups.

The leader is against marriage equality and has long stood against legislation that would allow married couples to have separate surnames, preventing many females from retaining their birth surnames.

She's also against females being in eligible for the throne in the imperial family.

Nonetheless, she moderated certain her statements during her election bid – saying she supports giving financial benefits to businesses that offer childcare facilities to their staff and mentioned potential tax breaks for households spending on childcare.

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

When it comes to gender matters, Takaichi is aligned with her country's subpar performance on equality concerns.

Japan's Inequality in Perspective

Women in Japan are among the best educated and highest qualified in the world and yet they face challenges with the demands of a traditional culture that still directs them into conventional positions.

Based on the 2025 equality ranking by the World Economic Forum, Japan ranked 118th out of among 148 countries, with women's presence in the political arena particularly minimal.

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

The globally fourth biggest economic power ranks at the bottom among the G7 countries when it comes to the share of females in its national parliament. In detail, females constitute about 15.7% of legislators in Japan, the smallest proportion among the seven major economies.

Progress is also sluggish when it comes to female healthcare: recently was it announced that the “emergency” pill – a type of emergency contraception sold over the counter in over ninety countries – had at last been authorized for non-prescription sales in Japan.

Mixed Responses to the Historic Appointment

Nonetheless, some see Takaichi's rise to power as a critical juncture that could change how women perceive their prospects.

“There is great significance in the new prime minister becoming prime minister, with a wider influence on the public,” Naomi Koshi – who became the country's youngest female city leader in 2012 – told Japan's Kyodo news agency.

Koshi argued Japan having a female prime minister will “reduce mental obstacles” for females of all ages, enabling them to believe it is normal to “stand out” as authorities in companies and the community, despite biased expectations and norms still persist.

However Audrey Hill-Uekawa points out that, while it is notable Japan has its first female leader, it is important to recall it took her more than 30 years to get to that office.

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

Ms Hill-Uekawa adds that she ought not be placed on a platform simply because she is a female.

“It is essential to make sure we're discussing her agenda. We must be capable of evaluate her equally as all other leaders.”

Political Background and Associations

It is not only what Takaichi has stated which has caused individuals to describe her as a supporter of the male-dominated system.

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

She was mentored of the deceased former conservative prime minister Shinzo Abe, and was endorsed in the party vote by Taro Aso – a senior figure in the LDP at the leadership of one of the ruling party's most influential right-wing factions.

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

“I do feel that it is challenging for women to sort of relate to her achievement because it furthers this notion that we must be compliant with the existing system,” 21-year-old Minori Konishi says.

Ms Ogura agrees, saying that with her as a symbol for women in politics, “the public are likely to anticipate the same from women as too”.

“They're going to expect women to be compliant, not oppose the ideals that they have, and it could render our job harder.”

Future Obstacles and Anticipations

Making history, however, was just the first of the challenges Takaichi will encounter – not least tackling a slow growth and inflation and regaining the trust of a frustrated and angry electorate, as in addition to welcoming president Trump within a short time of taking power.

It's safe to say that no-one expects gender equality issues to be a top priority on her agenda.