The Nation's First Woman Prime Minister: A Historic Moment with Reservations

To numerous female youth in Japan today, the image of Sanae Takaichi assuming leadership as the nation's first ever woman prime minister is impactful and formative.

This signifies a male-oriented culture and a government structure that has long been dominated by men is currently headed by a woman.

However, although 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 individuals beyond Japan's borders have reacted to the announcement,” 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 female advancement and gender equality in Japan’.

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

Conversely, the young woman points to her “political beliefs and what she represents,” adding: “She reinforces the patriarchal system.”

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

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

Analysts note her leadership is a strategic decision from the governing LDP to attract the more conservative supporters which had lately shifted towards Japan's parties further to the right.

The leader is against same-sex marriage and has consistently voted against legislation that would permit spouses to have different last names, blocking many females from retaining their maiden names.

She's also against females being in eligible for the throne in the royal household.

Nonetheless, she moderated some of her messaging during her campaign – saying she favours giving tax incentives to businesses that offer daycare services to their staff and spoke of potential deductions for households investing in childcare.

Yet she has historically backed the notion of a conventional position for females in society and in the home.

Regarding gender matters, Takaichi is aligned with her country's subpar performance on equality concerns.

The Country's Inequality in Context

Women in Japan are among the best educated and highest qualified in the globe and yet they struggle with the demands of a conservative society that still pushes them into conventional positions.

According to the 2025 gender gap index by the global organization, Japan ranked 118th among 148 nations, with women's presence in the political arena particularly minimal.

Top roles have traditionally been dominated by men and Japan has struggled to increase the number of women legislators and corporate executives.

The globally fourth biggest economic power places last among the G7 countries when it comes to the percentage of women in its national parliament. In detail, women constitute about less than 16% of lawmakers in Japan, the smallest proportion among the seven major economies.

Progress is also sluggish when it comes to female healthcare: only this week was it revealed that the “morning after” pill – a type of post-coital birth control sold over the counter in more than 90 countries – had at last been authorized for over the counter use in Japan.

Mixed Responses to the Landmark Appointment

Nonetheless, some see Takaichi's rise to power as a pivotal moment that could change 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,” Naomi Koshi – who was elected as the country's most youthful woman city leader in 2012 – told local media.

She contended Japan having a female prime minister will “reduce psychological barriers” for women and girls, enabling them to believe it is normal to “stand out” as leaders in businesses and society, despite gender-based stereotypes and expectations still remain.

However a 20-year-old notes that, while it is remarkable Japan has its inaugural woman prime minister, one must remember it required her more than 30 years to get to that position.

“Additionally, she is not truly going against the grain. She's saying the same thing as the male politicians.”

The young woman adds that she ought not be placed on a pedestal simply because she is a woman.

“We need to make sure we're talking about her agenda. We need to be able to evaluate her fairly as all other leaders.”

Ideological Background and Influences

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

It's also evident by which individuals her champions inside the party have were.

She was mentored of the late former hawkish prime minister a previous leader, and was backed in the party vote by Taro Aso – a prominent member in the ruling party at the head of one of the ruling party's most influential right-wing factions.

Their group's backing for Sanae Takaichi was crucial in uniting the party's right wing in her favor.

“I do feel that it is difficult for females to sort of relate to her success because it promotes this notion that we have to be compliant with the status quo,” young adult Minori Konishi says.

Ms Ogura concurs, stating that with her as a symbol for females in politics, “people are likely to anticipate the same from women as well”.

“They're going to expect women to be conforming, not oppose the beliefs that they have, and it could render our job more difficult.”

Upcoming Obstacles and Anticipations

Making history, however, was just the first of the challenges Takaichi will encounter – not least addressing a sluggish economy and inflation and winning back the trust of a frustrated and angry electorate, as in addition to welcoming president Trump within days of taking power.

One can reasonably assume that no-one expects women's rights matters to be high on her agenda.