For many young girls in Japan today, the image of Sanae Takaichi assuming leadership as the nation's inaugural female prime minister is impactful and influential.
This signifies a patriarchal society and a political system that has historically been controlled by men is currently headed by a woman.
However, although the appearances suggest a forward-thinking era, some women do not view her as an advocate for change.
It was rather interesting to observe how people outside Japan have reacted to the announcement,” Ayda Ogura 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 gender equality in Japan’.
In my opinion that's a very naive interpretation.”
Conversely, Ms Ogura points to her “political beliefs and what she stands for,” noting: “She perpetuates 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 nation.
And like Thatcher, Takaichi is a firm right-wing politician.
Observers say her ascension is a tactical move from the governing Liberal Democratic Party to attract the more conservative base which had lately shifted towards Japan's parties further to the right.
The leader is against same-sex marriage and has long stood against laws that would allow married couples to have different last names, blocking many females from retaining their birth surnames.
Additionally, she is against females being in line for succession in the royal household.
Nonetheless, she moderated some of her statements during her election bid – saying she favours giving financial benefits to companies that provide daycare services to their employees and spoke of possible tax breaks for households investing in childcare.
Yet she has over the years supported the notion of a more traditional role for women in society and in the home.
Regarding women's issues, Takaichi is aligned with her country's subpar record on equality concerns.
Japan's Gender Gap in Context
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 conservative society that still pushes them into conventional positions.
Based on the 2025 gender gap index by the World Economic Forum, Japan placed 118th among 148 countries, with female representation in the political arena notably low.
Top roles have traditionally been dominated by males and Japan has faced difficulties to boost the number of female lawmakers and corporate executives.
The world's fourth largest economy places last among the G7 countries when it comes to the share of females in its national parliament. Specifically, females constitute about less than 16% of lawmakers in Japan, the lowest figure among the G7.
Progress is also sluggish when it comes to women's reproductive health: only this week was it revealed that the “emergency” pill – a form of post-coital birth control sold over the counter in over ninety nations – had finally been approved for over the counter use in Japan.
Mixed Responses to the Landmark Leadership
Nonetheless, some see Takaichi's rise to power as a pivotal moment that could alter how women perceive their opportunities.
“There is great significance in Ms Takaichi becoming prime minister, with a wider influence on the public,” Naomi Koshi – who was elected as the country's youngest female city leader in 2012 – told local media.
Koshi argued Japan having 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 the community, even as biased expectations and expectations still remain.
But Audrey Hill-Uekawa points out that, while it is remarkable Japan has its first female prime minister, it is important to recall it required her over three decades to get to that office.
“She's also not truly going against the grain. She's saying the identical views as the men.”
Ms Hill-Uekawa further states that she ought not be placed on a platform just due to the fact she is a woman.
“We need to make sure we're talking about her policies. We need to be capable of criticise her equally as all other leaders.”
Political Background and Influences
It is not just what Takaichi has stated which has caused individuals to describe her as a defender of the patriarchy.
It's also apparent by who her supporters inside the party have been.
She was mentored of the deceased former conservative prime minister Shinzo Abe, and was backed in the leadership election by Taro Aso – a senior figure in the LDP at the head of one of the government's most powerful right-wing factions.
His faction's backing for Sanae Takaichi was pivotal in uniting the party's right wing behind her.
“I do feel that it is challenging for women to somewhat relate to her achievement because it furthers this idea that we must be compliant with the existing system,” young adult Minori Konishi remarks.
The 21-year-old agrees, stating that with her as a figurehead for females in politics, “the public are likely to anticipate the identical from us as too”.
“They're going to expect us to be compliant, not oppose the beliefs that they have, and it could render our role more difficult.”
Future Obstacles and Anticipations
Making history, though, was just the first of the difficulties Takaichi will encounter – including addressing a slow growth and rising prices and winning back the trust of a discontented and angry electorate, as well as welcoming president Trump within days of taking power.
It's safe to say that few anticipate gender equality issues to be a top priority on her agenda.
