The Nation's First Woman Leader: A Historic Moment that Comes with Reservations

To numerous female youth in Japan today, the sight of Sanae Takaichi assuming leadership as the country's first ever female leader is powerful and formative.

It means a patriarchal society and a political system that has long been dominated by men is currently headed by a female.

But while the appearances suggest a forward-thinking era, some women don't see her as an champion of progress.

It was rather fascinating to see how people outside Japan have responded to the news,” 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 female advancement and equal rights in Japan’.

In my opinion that's a very naive view.”

Instead, Ms Ogura highlights her “ideological stance and what she represents,” adding: “She perpetuates the male-dominated structure.”

A strong admirer of Margaret Thatcher, Sanae Takaichi has always wanted to be the “Iron Lady” of her nation.

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

Analysts note her leadership is a strategic decision from the governing Liberal Democratic Party to attract the more conservative supporters which had recently gravitated towards Japan's parties further to the right.

The leader is against marriage equality and has consistently voted against laws that would permit married couples to have separate surnames, preventing many women from keeping their birth surnames.

Additionally, she is opposed to women being in eligible for the throne in the imperial family.

Nonetheless, she did soften certain her statements during her campaign – saying she supports giving tax incentives to companies that provide childcare facilities to their employees and mentioned possible deductions for households spending on childcare.

Yet she has over the years backed the notion of a more traditional position for women in the community and in the family.

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

Japan's Inequality in Perspective

Japanese women are among the best educated and most skilled in the world and yet they face challenges with the demands of a traditional culture that still directs them into conventional positions.

According to the 2025 equality ranking by the global organization, Japan ranked 118th out of among 148 countries, with female representation in the political arena particularly minimal.

Leadership positions have historically been held by men and Japan has faced difficulties to increase the quantity of female lawmakers and business leaders.

The world's fourth largest economy ranks last among the Group of Seven nations when it comes to the share of females in its legislative body. In detail, females constitute about less than 16% of lawmakers in Japan, the lowest figure among the seven major economies.

Progress is also sluggish when it comes to female healthcare: only this week was it revealed that the “emergency” pill – a type of emergency contraception available without prescription in over ninety nations – had finally been approved for non-prescription sales in Japan.

Differing Reactions to the Landmark Leadership

Nonetheless, certain individuals view Takaichi's ascent as a critical juncture that could alter how women view their prospects.

“It is highly meaningful in Ms Takaichi assuming the role of prime minister, with a broader impact on society,” a former mayor – who was elected as the country's most youthful woman city leader in 2012 – informed Japan's Kyodo news agency.

She contended Japan having a woman prime minister will “reduce psychological barriers” for females of all ages, helping them feel it is normal to “excel” as authorities in businesses and society, despite biased expectations and expectations still persist.

But a 20-year-old notes that, while it is remarkable Japan has its first female prime minister, one must remember it took her more than 30 years to reach that office.

“Additionally, she is not truly going against the norm. She's saying the identical views as the male politicians.”

Ms Hill-Uekawa further states that she shouldn't be put on a platform simply because she is a female.

“It is essential to ensure we're talking about her policies. We must be able to criticise her equally as all other leaders.”

Ideological Context 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 apparent by who her champions within the LDP have been.

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

His faction's support 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 relate to her achievement because it furthers this notion that we must be obedient with the existing system,” young adult Minori Konishi says.

The 21-year-old agrees, stating that with her as a figurehead for females in government, “people are likely to anticipate the same from women as well”.

“They will demand women to be compliant, not oppose the beliefs that they hold, and it could render our job harder.”

Future Challenges and Expectations

Making history, though, was only the initial of the challenges Takaichi will encounter – not least tackling a slow growth and rising prices and winning back the trust of a frustrated and angry electorate, as well as hosting the US leader within a short time of taking power.

One can reasonably assume that no-one expects gender equality issues to be high on her priority list.