To numerous young girls in Japan today, the image of Sanae Takaichi taking the helm as the nation's inaugural female leader is impactful and formative.
This signifies a patriarchal society and a political system that has historically been controlled by men is now led by a female.
However, although the appearances speak of a progressive moment, some women do not view her as an advocate for change.
“It was quite interesting to see how individuals beyond Japan's borders have responded to the news,” a 21-year-old states.
People are saying, ‘wow, she's the first female prime minister in the nation's past and that would be a great opportunity for women empowerment and equal rights in Japan’.
“I think that's a very naive view.”
Conversely, the young woman points to her “ideological stance and what she stands for,” noting: “She reinforces 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.
And like Thatcher, Takaichi is a staunch right-wing politician.
Analysts note her ascension is a strategic decision from the governing LDP to attract the more conservative base which had lately shifted towards Japan's more extreme conservative groups.
Takaichi opposes marriage equality and has consistently voted against legislation that would permit spouses to have different last names, preventing many females from retaining their maiden names.
She's also against women being in eligible for the throne in the royal household.
However, she moderated some of her statements during her campaign – stating she favours giving financial benefits to companies that provide childcare facilities to their employees and spoke of possible deductions for families spending on childcare.
Yet she has historically supported the notion of a conventional role for females in society and in the family.
When it comes to women's issues, Takaichi is aligned with her nation's subpar performance on equality concerns.
The Country's Gender Gap in Perspective
Japanese women 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 traditional roles.
According to the 2025 equality ranking by the global organization, Japan placed 118th among 148 countries, with women's presence in the political arena particularly minimal.
Top roles have historically been held by males and Japan has faced difficulties to boost the quantity of women legislators and business leaders.
The globally fourth biggest economy places at the bottom among the Group of Seven nations when it comes to the percentage of females in its national parliament. In detail, females constitute about 15.7% of lawmakers 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 more than 90 nations – had finally been approved for non-prescription sales in Japan.
Mixed Responses to the Historic Appointment
Nonetheless, some see Takaichi's ascent as a pivotal moment that could alter how women perceive their opportunities.
“There is great significance in Ms Takaichi becoming prime minister, with a broader impact on the public,” Naomi Koshi – who became the country's most youthful woman city leader in 2012 – informed local media.
She contended Japan electing a woman prime minister will “lower mental obstacles” for females of all ages, enabling them to believe it is normal to “stand out” as leaders in companies and society, even as biased expectations and expectations still persist.
But a 20-year-old points out that, while it is notable Japan has its first female prime minister, one must remember it took her more than 30 years to reach that office.
“She's also not truly challenging the grain. She's saying the identical views as the men.”
Ms Hill-Uekawa adds that she ought not be placed on a pedestal simply because she is a woman.
“It is essential to ensure we're talking about her agenda. We need to be able to evaluate her equally as everyone else.”
Ideological Background and Associations
It is not just what Takaichi has stated which has led people to label her as a defender of the male-dominated system.
Additionally, it is evident by who her champions inside the party have were.
She was mentored of the late former conservative prime minister Shinzo Abe, and was backed in the party vote by Taro Aso – a senior figure in the ruling party at the leadership of one of the government's most powerful conservative blocs.
Their group's support for Sanae Takaichi was pivotal in uniting the conservative wing behind her.
“I believe that it is difficult for women to somewhat identify with her achievement because it furthers this idea that we must be obedient with the status quo,” young adult Minori Konishi says.
The 21-year-old agrees, stating that with her as a figurehead for females in government, “the public are going to expect the same from us as well”.
“They're going to expect women to be compliant, not oppose the ideals that they have, and it could render our role more difficult.”
Upcoming Challenges and Expectations
Achieving this milestone, however, was only the initial of the challenges Takaichi will face – not least tackling a sluggish economy and rising prices and regaining the trust of a discontented and angry voting public, as in addition to hosting president Trump within a short time of assuming office.
One can reasonably assume that no-one expects women's rights matters to be a top priority on her priority list.
