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For many young girls in Japan today, the sight of Sanae Takaichi assuming leadership as the country's inaugural female prime minister is impactful and influential.

This signifies a patriarchal society and a government structure that has historically been controlled by men is currently headed by a woman.

But while the optics speak of a forward-thinking era, some women do not view her as an advocate for change.

It was rather fascinating to observe how people outside Japan have reacted to the news,” Ayda Ogura states.

People are saying, ‘wow, she's the inaugural woman prime minister in Japanese history and that would be a significant chance for women empowerment and gender equality in Japan’.

“I think that's a very naive interpretation.”

Instead, the young woman points to her “political beliefs and what she represents,” adding: “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.

Observers say her ascension is a strategic decision from the governing LDP to attract the more conservative base which had lately shifted towards Japan's parties further to the right.

The leader is against marriage equality and has long stood against legislation that would allow married couples to have separate surnames, blocking many women from retaining their maiden names.

She's also against females being in line for succession in the royal household.

However, she moderated certain her statements during her election bid – saying she favours giving tax incentives to companies that offer daycare services to their employees and mentioned possible tax breaks for families spending on child-rearing.

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

When it comes to women's issues, Takaichi is consistent with her country's less than impressive performance on gender issues.

Japan's Inequality in Context

Japanese women are some of the most highly educated and most skilled in the world and yet they struggle with the expectations of a traditional culture that still pushes them into traditional roles.

According to the 2025 equality ranking by the global organization, Japan ranked 118th among 148 nations, with female representation in the field of politics notably low.

Top roles have traditionally been dominated by men and Japan has faced difficulties to boost the number of female lawmakers and corporate executives.

The globally fourth biggest economy places at the bottom among the G7 countries when it comes to the percentage of women in its national parliament. Specifically, females constitute about 15.7% of lawmakers in Japan, the smallest proportion among the G7.

Progress is also sluggish when it comes to female healthcare: only this week was it announced that the “emergency” pill – a type 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 Appointment

Even so, some see Takaichi's rise to power as a pivotal moment that could alter how women perceive their prospects.

“There is great significance in Ms Takaichi becoming prime minister, with a broader impact on the public,” a former mayor – who was elected as the nation's youngest female city leader in 2012 – informed Japan's Kyodo news agency.

Koshi argued Japan electing a woman prime minister will “reduce psychological barriers” for women and girls, helping them feel it is acceptable to “stand out” as leaders in companies and society, despite gender-based stereotypes and norms still persist.

But a 20-year-old notes that, while it is notable Japan has its first female leader, one must remember it took her over three decades to get to that position.

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

Ms Hill-Uekawa adds that she ought not be placed on a platform simply because she is a female.

“We need to make sure we're discussing her policies. We need to be capable of evaluate her fairly as everyone else.”

Ideological Context and Associations

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

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

She's the protégé of the late ex- hawkish prime minister a previous leader, and was backed in the party vote by a senior politician – a prominent member in the ruling party at the leadership of one of the government's most powerful right-wing factions.

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

“I believe that it is difficult for females to sort of identify with her success because it promotes this notion that we have to be obedient with the existing system,” young adult Minori Konishi says.

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

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

Upcoming Obstacles and Anticipations

Making history, though, was just the first of the difficulties Takaichi will face – not least tackling a slow growth and rising prices and winning back the confidence of a discontented and irate voting public, as in addition to hosting president Trump within days of assuming office.

One can reasonably assume that no-one expects women's rights matters to be a top priority on her priority list.