🔗 Share this article

For many young girls in Japan currently, the sight of Sanae Takaichi taking the helm as the country's inaugural woman prime minister is impactful and formative.

It means a male-oriented culture and a government structure that has long been dominated by men is now led by a female.

However, although the appearances suggest a progressive moment, certain females do not view her as an advocate for change.

It was rather interesting to observe how individuals outside Japan have responded to the news,” a 21-year-old states.

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

“I think that's a very naive interpretation.”

Conversely, the young woman points to her “political beliefs and what she stands for,” noting: “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 nation.

Similar to Thatcher, Takaichi is a firm right-wing politician.

Analysts note her leadership is a tactical move from the governing LDP to attract the more conservative 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 married couples to have separate surnames, blocking many women from retaining their maiden names.

Additionally, she is against females being in line for succession in the royal household.

However, she moderated certain her statements during her election bid – saying she supports giving tax incentives to businesses that provide daycare services to their staff and mentioned potential tax breaks for households investing in child-rearing.

But she has over the years supported the notion of a conventional position for women in the community and in the home.

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

The Country's Inequality in Perspective

Women in Japan are some of the best educated and most skilled in the globe and yet they face challenges with the expectations of a conservative society that still directs them into conventional positions.

Based on the 2025 gender gap index by the World Economic Forum, Japan placed 118th out of among nearly 150 nations, with female representation in the field of politics particularly minimal.

Top roles have traditionally been dominated by males and Japan has faced difficulties to increase the number of female lawmakers and corporate executives.

The globally fourth biggest economy ranks last among the G7 countries when it comes to the share of women in its national parliament. Specifically, females constitute about 15.7% of legislators in Japan, the lowest figure among the G7.

Progress is also sluggish when it comes to women's reproductive health: recently was it revealed that the “morning after” pill – a form of post-coital birth control available without prescription in over ninety countries – had finally been approved for non-prescription sales in Japan.

Mixed Responses to the Historic Appointment

Even so, some see Takaichi's ascent as a critical juncture that could change how females perceive their opportunities.

“It is highly meaningful in Ms Takaichi assuming the role of prime minister, with a broader impact on society,” a former mayor – who was elected as the nation's most youthful woman mayor in 2012 – informed local media.

She contended Japan having a female prime minister will “lower mental obstacles” for females of all ages, helping them feel it is acceptable to “stand out” as authorities in companies and the community, despite biased expectations and norms still persist.

However Audrey Hill-Uekawa notes that, while it is notable Japan has its inaugural woman prime minister, it is important to recall it took her more than 30 years to get to that position.

“Additionally, she is not truly going against the grain. She expresses the identical views as the male politicians.”

The young woman adds that she ought not be placed on a platform just due to the fact she is a woman.

“We need to ensure we're discussing her agenda. We must be able to evaluate her equally as everyone else.”

Ideological Context and Associations

It is not just what Takaichi has said which has caused individuals to describe her as a defender of the male-dominated system.

Additionally, it is apparent by which individuals her champions within the LDP have were.

She was mentored of the late ex- hawkish prime minister Shinzo Abe, and was backed in the party vote by a senior politician – a prominent member in the LDP at the head of one of the government's most powerful conservative blocs.

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

“I do feel that it is challenging for females to somewhat relate to her success because it furthers this idea that we have to be obedient with the status quo,” 21-year-old a citizen remarks.

The 21-year-old concurs, stating that with her as a symbol for women in government, “the public are likely to anticipate the same from women as too”.

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

Future Challenges and Expectations

Achieving this milestone, though, was just the first of the difficulties Takaichi will encounter – including addressing a sluggish economy and inflation and winning back the trust of a frustrated and angry electorate, as in addition to hosting the US leader within days of assuming office.

It's safe to say that no-one expects gender equality issues to be high on her priority list.