To numerous female youth in Japan today, the sight of Sanae Takaichi taking the helm as the nation's first ever woman prime minister is powerful 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.
But while the optics suggest a progressive moment, some women don't see her as an champion of progress.
It was rather fascinating to observe how individuals beyond Japan's borders have responded to the announcement,” Ayda Ogura says.
People are saying, ‘wow, she's the inaugural woman 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 view.”
Instead, the young woman points to her “ideological stance and what she represents,” 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 “Iron Lady” of her country.
Similar to Thatcher, Takaichi is a firm conservative.
Observers say her ascension is a strategic decision from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party to attract the increasingly right-leaning base which had recently gravitated towards Japan's more extreme conservative groups.
The leader is against marriage equality and has long stood against laws that would permit married couples to have separate surnames, preventing many females from retaining their maiden names.
Additionally, she is against women being in line for succession in the royal household.
Nonetheless, she did soften some of her statements during her election bid – saying she supports giving financial benefits 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 idea of a conventional position for women in society and in the home.
When it comes to women's issues, Takaichi is aligned with her country's less than impressive record on equality concerns.
Japan's Gender Gap in Context
Women in Japan are some of the most highly educated and most skilled in the globe and yet they struggle with the demands of a conservative society that still pushes them into traditional roles.
According to the 2025 equality ranking by the World Economic Forum, Japan ranked 118th out of among nearly 150 nations, with women's presence in the field of politics particularly minimal.
Leadership positions have historically been held by males and Japan has faced difficulties to increase the number of women legislators and corporate executives.
The globally fourth biggest economy ranks last among the Group of Seven nations when it comes to the share of women in its legislative body. In detail, women make up about 15.7% of lawmakers in Japan, the lowest figure among the seven major economies.
Progress is also sluggish when it comes to women's reproductive health: recently was it announced that the “emergency” pill – a form of emergency contraception sold over the counter in more than 90 countries – had finally been approved for over the counter use in Japan.
Mixed Responses to the Historic Leadership
Nonetheless, some see Takaichi's rise to power as a critical juncture that could change how females 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 youngest female city leader in 2012 – informed Japan's Kyodo news agency.
Koshi argued Japan electing a female prime minister will “reduce psychological barriers” for women and girls, enabling them to believe it is acceptable to “stand out” as leaders in businesses and society, even as biased expectations and norms still remain.
However Audrey Hill-Uekawa points out that, while it is remarkable Japan has its first female leader, one must remember it required her over three decades to get to that position.
“Additionally, she is not truly challenging the grain. She's saying the same thing as the male politicians.”
Ms Hill-Uekawa further states that she shouldn't be put on a pedestal just due to the fact she is a female.
“It is essential to make sure we're discussing her agenda. We must be capable of criticise her equally as all other leaders.”
Ideological Context and Influences
It is not just what Takaichi has said which has caused individuals to describe her as a defender of the patriarchy.
Additionally, it is apparent by who her champions inside the party have were.
She was mentored of the late former conservative prime minister a previous leader, and was backed in the party vote by a senior politician – a prominent member in the LDP at the head of one of the ruling party's most influential conservative blocs.
His faction's backing for Sanae Takaichi was crucial in consolidating the party's right wing in her favor.
“I believe that it is difficult for women to sort of relate to her success because it furthers this notion that we have to be compliant with the existing system,” 21-year-old Minori Konishi remarks.
The 21-year-old concurs, saying that with her as a figurehead for females in government, “people are likely to anticipate the identical from women as well”.
“They're going to expect women to be conforming, not oppose the ideals that they have, and it could render our role harder.”
Future Challenges and Expectations
Achieving this milestone, however, was only the initial of the challenges Takaichi will face – not least tackling a slow growth and rising prices and winning back the confidence of a frustrated and angry electorate, as well as welcoming the US leader within a short time of taking power.
One can reasonably assume that no-one expects women's rights matters to be high on her agenda.
