🔗 Share this article

To numerous young girls in Japan currently, the image of Sanae Takaichi taking the helm as the nation's first ever female leader is impactful and influential.

It means a patriarchal society and a political system that has historically been controlled by men is currently headed by a woman.

However, although the appearances speak of a forward-thinking era, certain females do not view her as an advocate for change.

It was rather interesting to observe how people beyond Japan's borders have responded to the announcement,” Ayda Ogura says.

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

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

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

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

And like Thatcher, Takaichi is a firm conservative.

Analysts note her ascension is a tactical move from the governing Liberal Democratic Party to attract the more conservative base which had recently gravitated towards Japan's parties further to the right.

The leader is against marriage equality and has consistently voted against laws that would allow married couples to have different last names, blocking many women from retaining their birth surnames.

Additionally, she is against females being in eligible for the throne in the royal household.

However, she moderated some of her messaging during her campaign – saying she favours giving tax incentives to companies that offer daycare services to their staff and mentioned possible deductions for families spending on child-rearing.

Yet she has historically backed the notion of a conventional role for women in the community and in the home.

Regarding gender matters, Takaichi is consistent with her country's less than impressive performance on equality concerns.

The Country's Gender Gap in Context

Japanese women are among the most highly educated and highest qualified in the world and yet they struggle with the expectations of a traditional culture that still directs them into conventional positions.

According to the 2025 gender gap index by the global organization, Japan placed 118th out of among 148 countries, with women's presence in the field of politics notably low.

Top roles have historically been held by males and Japan has faced difficulties to boost the number of women legislators and business leaders.

The globally fourth biggest economy ranks at the bottom among the Group of Seven nations when it comes to the share of females in its legislative body. Specifically, females make up about less than 16% of legislators in Japan, the lowest figure among the seven major economies.

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

Differing Responses to the Historic Leadership

Even so, some see Takaichi's ascent as a pivotal moment that could alter how women view their prospects.

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

Koshi argued Japan having a female prime minister will “lower psychological barriers” for women and girls, enabling them to believe it is acceptable to “stand out” as authorities in companies and the community, even as gender-based stereotypes and norms still remain.

However Audrey Hill-Uekawa points out that, while it is notable Japan has its inaugural woman leader, one must remember it took her more than 30 years to reach that position.

“She's also not really challenging the grain. She expresses the same thing as the male politicians.”

The young woman further states that she shouldn't be put on a platform just due to the fact she is a female.

“It is essential to ensure we're discussing her agenda. We must be capable of evaluate her equally as everyone else.”

Ideological Context and Influences

It is not just what Takaichi has said which has led people to label her as a defender of the patriarchy.

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

She was mentored of the deceased ex- conservative prime minister Shinzo Abe, and was backed in the leadership election by a senior politician – a prominent member in the ruling party at the leadership of one of the government's most influential right-wing factions.

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

“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 compliant with the status quo,” 21-year-old Minori Konishi remarks.

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

“They will demand us to be conforming, not oppose the ideals that they have, and it might make our role harder.”

Future Obstacles and Anticipations

Achieving this milestone, though, was only the initial of the challenges Takaichi will face – including addressing a slow growth and inflation and regaining the trust of a frustrated and angry electorate, as in addition to hosting 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 priority list.