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To numerous young girls in Japan currently, the image of Sanae Takaichi assuming leadership as the country's inaugural female prime minister is impactful and influential.

It means a male-oriented culture and a political system that has historically been controlled by men is now led by a woman.

But while the optics speak of a forward-thinking era, some women don't see her as an champion of progress.

“It was quite interesting to see how individuals 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 great opportunity for women empowerment and equal rights in Japan’.

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

Instead, the young woman highlights her “political beliefs and what she represents,” adding: “She perpetuates the patriarchal system.”

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

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

Observers say her ascension is a strategic decision from the governing LDP to attract the increasingly right-leaning supporters which had recently gravitated towards Japan's more extreme conservative groups.

Takaichi opposes marriage equality and has long stood against laws that would allow married couples to have separate surnames, preventing many women from retaining their maiden names.

She's also opposed to women being in line for succession in the imperial family.

Nonetheless, she did soften certain her messaging during her campaign – saying she supports giving tax incentives to businesses that offer childcare facilities to their employees and mentioned possible tax breaks for households investing in childcare.

Yet she has over the years backed the idea of a more traditional role for females in society and in the family.

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 best educated and most skilled in the world and yet they face challenges with the expectations of a traditional culture that still directs them into conventional positions.

According to the 2025 gender gap index by the World Economic Forum, Japan ranked 118th among 148 countries, with women's presence in the political arena notably low.

Leadership positions have historically been held by men and Japan has faced difficulties to increase the number of women legislators and corporate executives.

The world's fourth largest economy ranks last among the G7 countries when it comes to the percentage of females in its national parliament. In detail, females make up about less than 16% of legislators in Japan, the lowest figure among the G7.

Progress is also sluggish when it comes to female healthcare: only this week was it announced that the “morning after” pill – a form of post-coital birth control sold over the counter in over ninety nations – had at last been authorized for non-prescription sales in Japan.

Mixed Reactions to the Landmark Appointment

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

“There is great significance in Ms Takaichi assuming the role of prime minister, with a wider influence on the public,” a former mayor – who became the nation's youngest female city leader in 2012 – informed Japan's Kyodo news agency.

She contended Japan electing a woman prime minister will “reduce mental obstacles” for women and girls, enabling them to believe it is normal to “stand out” as authorities in businesses and society, despite gender-based stereotypes and norms still remain.

However a 20-year-old notes that, while it is remarkable Japan has its first female prime minister, it is important to recall it required her more than 30 years to reach that position.

“Additionally, she is not truly going against the norm. She's saying the same thing as the men.”

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

“It is essential to ensure we're discussing her agenda. We need to be capable of criticise her fairly as all other leaders.”

Ideological Context and Associations

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

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

She was mentored of the late ex- conservative prime minister a previous leader, and was endorsed in the party vote by Taro Aso – a senior figure in the ruling party at the head of one of the ruling party's most influential right-wing factions.

His faction's backing for Sanae Takaichi was crucial in consolidating the party's right wing in her favor.

“I do feel that it is difficult for females to somewhat identify with her achievement because it furthers this notion that we have to be obedient with the existing system,” 21-year-old Minori Konishi says.

The 21-year-old concurs, stating that with her as a figurehead for women in government, “the public are going to expect the same from women as well”.

“They will demand us to be conforming, not go against the ideals that they hold, and it could render our job harder.”

Future Obstacles and Expectations

Making history, though, was just the first of the challenges Takaichi will encounter – not least tackling a slow growth and rising prices and regaining the confidence of a discontented and irate voting public, as well as hosting the US leader 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.