For many young girls in Japan currently, the image of Sanae Takaichi taking the helm as the nation's inaugural woman leader is impactful and influential.
It means a male-oriented culture and a political system that has historically been controlled by men is now led by a female.
However, although the appearances speak of a forward-thinking era, some women do not view her as an champion of progress.
“It was quite interesting to see how people beyond Japan's borders have responded 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 great opportunity for women empowerment and gender equality in Japan’.
In my opinion that's a very naive view.”
Instead, Ms Ogura highlights her “political beliefs and what she represents,” adding: “She reinforces the patriarchal system.”
A big fan of Britain's first female prime minister, Sanae Takaichi has always wanted to be the “Steel Magnolia” of her nation.
Similar to Thatcher, Takaichi is a firm conservative.
Analysts note her ascension is a tactical move from the governing Liberal Democratic Party to appeal to the increasingly right-leaning base which had recently gravitated towards Japan's parties further to the right.
Takaichi opposes marriage equality and has consistently voted against laws that would permit spouses to have separate surnames, blocking many females from keeping their birth surnames.
Additionally, she is against females being in line for succession in the imperial family.
Nonetheless, she moderated some of her messaging during her campaign – stating she favours giving financial benefits to businesses that provide childcare facilities to their employees and spoke of potential tax breaks for households spending on child-rearing.
Yet she has historically supported the idea of a conventional position for females in the community and in the family.
When it comes to gender matters, Takaichi is consistent with her nation's subpar record on gender issues.
The Country's Inequality in Context
Japanese women are among the best educated and most skilled in the globe and yet they face challenges with the demands of a conservative society that still pushes them into traditional roles.
According to the 2025 gender gap index by the global organization, Japan ranked 118th among 148 countries, with female representation in the political arena particularly minimal.
Top roles have traditionally been dominated by males and Japan has faced difficulties to increase the number of women legislators and corporate executives.
The world's fourth largest economic power places last among the Group of Seven nations when it comes to the share of females in its legislative body. In detail, females constitute 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 revealed that the “emergency” pill – a type of post-coital birth control 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
Even so, some see Takaichi's ascent as a critical juncture that could alter how females view their prospects.
“It is highly meaningful in Ms Takaichi assuming the role of prime minister, with a broader impact on society,” Naomi Koshi – who became the nation's youngest female city leader in 2012 – told local media.
Koshi argued Japan having a female prime minister will “lower psychological barriers” for females of all ages, enabling them to believe it is normal to “excel” as authorities in companies and the community, even as biased expectations and norms still remain.
But Audrey Hill-Uekawa notes that, while it is remarkable Japan has its first female leader, it is important to recall it required her over three decades to reach that position.
“She's also not really challenging the grain. She's saying the same thing as the male politicians.”
The young woman adds that she ought not be placed on a platform just due to the fact she is a woman.
“We need to ensure we're discussing her policies. We must be capable of evaluate her equally as all other leaders.”
Ideological Context and Associations
It is not only what Takaichi has said which has caused individuals to describe her as a supporter of the male-dominated system.
Additionally, it is apparent by who her champions inside the party have were.
She was mentored of the deceased former conservative prime minister Shinzo Abe, and was backed in the party vote by a senior politician – a prominent member in the LDP at the leadership of one of the ruling party's most powerful conservative blocs.
Their group's support for Sanae Takaichi was crucial in consolidating the party's right wing behind her.
“I believe that it is difficult for females to sort of relate to her success because it promotes this idea that we have to be obedient with the existing system,” young adult Minori Konishi says.
The 21-year-old concurs, stating that with her as a figurehead for women in politics, “the public are likely to anticipate the same from women as well”.
“They will demand us to be conforming, not oppose the ideals that they hold, and it might make our role more difficult.”
Upcoming Challenges and Anticipations
Achieving this milestone, however, was just the first of the difficulties Takaichi will face – not least tackling a slow growth and rising prices and regaining the confidence of a frustrated and irate electorate, as well as hosting the US leader within a short time of taking power.
It's safe to say that few anticipate gender equality issues to be high on her agenda.
