The Nation's First Female Leader: An Unprecedented Event that Comes with Reservations

For many young girls in Japan today, the sight of Sanae Takaichi taking the helm as the nation's inaugural woman prime minister is impactful and formative.

This signifies 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 rather fascinating to observe how people outside Japan have responded to the announcement,” Ayda Ogura states.

“Everyone's like, ‘wow, she's the inaugural woman prime minister in Japanese history and that would be a great opportunity for women empowerment and gender equality in Japan’.

“I think that's a very naive view.”

Instead, the young woman points to her “political beliefs and what she represents,” adding: “She perpetuates the male-dominated structure.”

A strong admirer of Margaret Thatcher, Sanae Takaichi has long aspired to be the “Steel Magnolia” of her country.

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

Observers say her leadership is a tactical move from the ruling LDP to appeal to the increasingly right-leaning supporters which had lately shifted towards Japan's more extreme conservative groups.

The leader is against same-sex marriage and has consistently voted against laws that would permit spouses to have different last names, preventing many women from keeping their maiden names.

Additionally, she is opposed to women being in line for succession in the royal household.

However, she moderated certain her messaging during her campaign – saying she supports giving financial benefits to companies that provide daycare services to their employees and spoke of possible tax breaks for households spending on childcare.

Yet she has historically backed the idea of a conventional role for females in society and in the family.

When it comes to gender matters, Takaichi is aligned with her nation's less than impressive record on gender issues.

The Country's Inequality in Context

Japanese women are among the most highly educated and most skilled in the globe and yet they face challenges with the demands of a conservative society that still directs them into traditional roles.

According to the 2025 equality ranking by the World Economic Forum, Japan ranked 118th among 148 countries, with women's presence in the field of politics notably low.

Leadership positions have historically been held by males and Japan has faced difficulties to boost the number of female lawmakers and corporate executives.

The globally fourth biggest economic power ranks at the bottom among the G7 countries when it comes to the percentage of women in its legislative body. Specifically, women make up about 15.7% of legislators in Japan, the lowest figure among the seven major economies.

Progress is also sluggish when it comes to female healthcare: recently was it revealed that the “morning after” pill – a type of emergency contraception available without prescription in more than 90 countries – had at last been authorized for over the counter use in Japan.

Mixed Reactions to the Historic Leadership

Nonetheless, certain individuals view Takaichi's rise to power as a pivotal moment that could alter how women view their prospects.

“It is highly meaningful in the new prime minister becoming prime minister, with a wider influence on the public,” a former mayor – who became the nation's most youthful woman city leader in 2012 – told Japan's Kyodo news agency.

Koshi argued Japan having a female prime minister will “reduce psychological barriers” for females of all ages, enabling them to believe it is acceptable to “excel” as leaders in businesses and society, despite gender-based stereotypes and expectations still remain.

But Audrey Hill-Uekawa notes that, while it is notable Japan has its inaugural woman prime minister, one must remember it required her over three decades to get to that position.

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

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

“It is essential to ensure we're discussing her policies. We must be able to criticise her equally as everyone else.”

Political Context and Influences

It is not only what Takaichi has said which has caused individuals to describe her as a defender of the patriarchy.

Additionally, it is apparent by which individuals her champions inside the party have were.

She was mentored of the late ex- hawkish prime minister Shinzo Abe, and was backed in the leadership election by Taro Aso – a prominent member in the ruling party at the head of one of the ruling party's most powerful right-wing factions.

His faction's backing for Sanae Takaichi was pivotal in consolidating the conservative wing in her favor.

“I believe that it is difficult 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 says.

Ms Ogura concurs, stating that with her as a figurehead for females in government, “people are going to expect the same from women as well”.

“They're going to expect women to be conforming, not oppose the beliefs that they hold, and it might make our role harder.”

Future Challenges and Expectations

Making history, however, was just the first of the challenges Takaichi will face – including addressing a sluggish economy and rising prices and regaining the confidence of a discontented and angry voting public, as in addition to welcoming president Trump within a short time of taking power.

It's safe to say that no-one expects women's rights matters to be a top priority on her priority list.