For many female youth in Japan today, the image of Sanae Takaichi taking the helm as the nation's inaugural female prime minister is impactful and influential.
This signifies a patriarchal society and a government structure that has long been dominated by men is now led by a woman.
However, although the optics suggest a forward-thinking era, certain females don't see her as an advocate for change.
“It was quite fascinating to observe how individuals beyond Japan's borders have reacted to the news,” Ayda Ogura says.
“Everyone's like, ‘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’.
In my opinion that's a very naive interpretation.”
Instead, Ms Ogura points to her “political beliefs and what she stands for,” noting: “She reinforces the patriarchal system.”
A big fan of Margaret Thatcher, Sanae Takaichi has long aspired to be the “Iron Lady” of her country.
And like Thatcher, Takaichi is a staunch conservative.
Analysts note her leadership is a tactical move from the governing LDP to appeal to the more conservative base which had lately shifted towards Japan's more extreme conservative groups.
Takaichi opposes same-sex marriage and has consistently voted against laws that would permit spouses to have different last names, blocking many females from retaining their birth surnames.
She's also opposed to females being in eligible for the throne in the imperial family.
However, she did soften some of her statements during her campaign – saying she supports giving tax incentives to companies that offer childcare facilities to their employees and spoke of potential deductions for households spending on child-rearing.
Yet she has historically backed the idea of a more traditional role for females in the community and in the family.
When it comes to gender matters, Takaichi is consistent with her nation's subpar performance on equality concerns.
Japan's Gender Gap in Context
Women in Japan are among the most highly educated and most skilled in the globe and yet they face challenges with the expectations of a traditional culture that still directs them into traditional roles.
According to the 2025 gender gap index by the World Economic Forum, Japan placed 118th among nearly 150 nations, with female representation in the field of politics particularly minimal.
Top roles have historically been held by males and Japan has faced difficulties to increase the quantity of female lawmakers and corporate executives.
The world's fourth largest economy ranks at the bottom among the G7 countries when it comes to the percentage of women in its national parliament. Specifically, women constitute about 15.7% of legislators in Japan, the lowest figure among the G7.
It is even slow when it comes to women's reproductive health: recently was it announced that the “morning after” pill – a type of post-coital birth control sold over the counter in more than 90 countries – had at last been authorized for over the counter use in Japan.
Mixed Reactions to the Landmark Appointment
Even so, certain individuals view Takaichi's ascent as a pivotal moment that could change how women view their opportunities.
“It is highly meaningful in the new prime minister assuming the role of prime minister, with a wider influence on the public,” Naomi Koshi – who became the country's most youthful woman mayor in 2012 – told local media.
She contended Japan having a woman prime minister will “lower mental obstacles” for females of all ages, enabling them to believe it is acceptable to “excel” as authorities in companies and society, despite biased expectations and norms still remain.
However a 20-year-old points out that, while it is notable Japan has its inaugural woman prime minister, one must remember it required her over three decades to reach that position.
“She's also not truly challenging the grain. She's saying the identical views as the male politicians.”
Ms Hill-Uekawa further states that she shouldn't be put on a platform simply because she is a female.
“We need to make sure we're talking about her agenda. We must be able to criticise her equally as everyone else.”
Political Background and Influences
It is not just what Takaichi has stated which has led people to label her as a supporter of the male-dominated system.
Additionally, it is apparent by which individuals her supporters inside the party have been.
She's the protégé of the deceased former hawkish prime minister Shinzo Abe, and was endorsed in the party vote by a senior politician – a senior figure in the ruling party at the head of one of the government's most influential right-wing factions.
His faction's support for Sanae Takaichi was crucial in consolidating the party's right wing in her favor.
“I believe that it is challenging for women to sort of relate to her success because it promotes this idea that we must be obedient with the status quo,” 21-year-old a citizen says.
Ms Ogura concurs, saying that with her as a figurehead for women in politics, “people are going to expect the identical from us as well”.
“They're going to expect women to be conforming, not go against the beliefs that they hold, and it could render our job more difficult.”
Future Challenges and Anticipations
Making history, however, was only the initial of the difficulties Takaichi will face – including addressing a slow growth and rising prices and winning back the trust of a discontented and angry voting public, as well as welcoming president Trump within a short time of taking power.
One can reasonably assume that few anticipate gender equality issues to be a top priority on her agenda.
