🔗 Share this article

To numerous female youth in Japan today, the image of Sanae Takaichi assuming leadership as the nation's inaugural woman prime minister 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 woman.

However, although the appearances suggest a progressive moment, certain females don't see her as an champion of progress.

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

People are saying, ‘wow, she's the inaugural woman prime minister in Japanese history and that would be a great opportunity for women empowerment and equal rights in Japan’.

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

Instead, Ms Ogura highlights her “ideological stance and what she represents,” noting: “She reinforces the patriarchal system.”

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

And like Thatcher, Takaichi is a staunch conservative.

Analysts note her ascension is a tactical move from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party to appeal to the more conservative supporters which had lately shifted towards Japan's more extreme conservative groups.

The leader is against marriage equality and has long stood against laws that would permit married couples to have separate surnames, preventing many women from retaining their maiden names.

Additionally, she is opposed to women being in eligible for the throne in the royal household.

However, she did soften some of her statements during her election bid – saying she favours giving tax incentives to businesses that provide childcare facilities to their staff and mentioned possible deductions for households investing in child-rearing.

Yet she has historically backed the notion of a more traditional position for women in the community and in the home.

Regarding women's issues, Takaichi is consistent with her nation's subpar performance on gender issues.

Japan's Inequality in Perspective

Japanese women are among the best educated and highest qualified in the world and yet they face challenges with the expectations of a conservative society that still directs them into conventional positions.

According to the 2025 equality ranking by the World Economic Forum, Japan placed 118th among 148 nations, with female representation in the political arena particularly minimal.

Top roles have traditionally been dominated by men and Japan has faced difficulties to boost the quantity of women legislators and corporate executives.

The world's fourth largest economy ranks at the bottom among the Group of Seven nations when it comes to the share of women in its legislative body. Specifically, females constitute about 15.7% of lawmakers in Japan, the smallest proportion among the seven major economies.

It is even slow when it comes to women's reproductive health: recently was it announced that the “emergency” pill – a type of emergency contraception sold over the counter in over ninety countries – had finally been approved for non-prescription sales in Japan.

Mixed Reactions to the Historic Appointment

Even so, certain individuals view Takaichi's rise to power as a critical juncture that could alter how women perceive their opportunities.

“There is great significance in Ms Takaichi assuming the role of prime minister, with a broader impact on the public,” Naomi Koshi – who became the nation's most youthful woman mayor in 2012 – informed Japan's Kyodo news agency.

Koshi argued Japan electing a woman prime minister will “reduce mental obstacles” for females of all ages, helping them feel it is acceptable to “stand out” as leaders in businesses and society, even as gender-based stereotypes and norms still persist.

But Audrey Hill-Uekawa notes that, while it is notable Japan has its first female prime minister, one must remember it required her over three decades to get to that position.

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

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

“It is essential to ensure we're talking about her policies. We must be able to evaluate her equally as all other leaders.”

Political Background and Associations

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

Additionally, it is apparent by who her supporters within the LDP have were.

She was mentored of the late former conservative prime minister a previous leader, and was endorsed in the leadership election by a senior politician – a senior figure in the LDP at the leadership of one of the ruling party's most powerful conservative blocs.

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

“I do feel that it is challenging for females to somewhat identify with her success because it promotes this idea that we have to be compliant with the status quo,” 21-year-old Minori Konishi says.

Ms Ogura concurs, stating that with her as a symbol for women in government, “people are likely to anticipate the identical from women as well”.

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

Upcoming Challenges and Anticipations

Achieving this milestone, however, was just the first of the challenges Takaichi will face – including addressing a sluggish economy and inflation and winning back the trust of a frustrated and irate voting public, as in addition to hosting president Trump within days of taking power.

One can reasonably assume that no-one expects women's rights matters to be high on her priority list.