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

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

But while the appearances suggest a progressive moment, some women do not view her as an champion of progress.

It was rather interesting to see how individuals outside Japan have reacted to the news,” a 21-year-old says.

People are saying, ‘wow, she's the first female prime minister in the nation's past and that would be a great opportunity for women empowerment and gender equality in Japan’.

“I think that's a rather simplistic interpretation.”

Instead, the young woman highlights her “political beliefs and what she stands for,” noting: “She perpetuates 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 firm right-wing politician.

Analysts note her ascension is a tactical move from the governing LDP to attract the more conservative base which had lately shifted towards Japan's more extreme conservative groups.

Takaichi opposes marriage equality and has long stood against legislation that would allow married couples to have separate surnames, preventing many women from retaining their birth surnames.

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

Nonetheless, she did soften certain her messaging during her campaign – saying she supports giving financial benefits to companies that offer daycare services to their employees and mentioned potential tax breaks for households spending on childcare.

But she has historically supported the notion of a conventional position for women in society and in the family.

Regarding gender matters, Takaichi is consistent with her country's less than impressive record on equality concerns.

Japan's Gender Gap in Perspective

Women in Japan are some of the most highly educated and highest qualified in the world and yet they struggle with the demands of a traditional culture that still pushes them into traditional roles.

Based on the 2025 gender gap index by the global organization, Japan placed 118th among nearly 150 countries, with women's presence in the field of politics particularly minimal.

Top roles have traditionally been dominated by males and Japan has faced difficulties to increase the number of women legislators and business leaders.

The world's fourth largest economy places last among the G7 countries when it comes to the share of females in its national parliament. Specifically, women make up about less than 16% of legislators in Japan, the smallest proportion among the G7.

It is even slow when it comes to women's reproductive health: only this week was it revealed that the “morning after” pill – a form of emergency contraception sold over the counter in over ninety nations – had at last been authorized for non-prescription sales in Japan.

Differing Responses to the Landmark Appointment

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 broader impact on the public,” Naomi Koshi – 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 female prime minister will “lower mental obstacles” for females of all ages, helping them feel it is normal to “stand out” as leaders in companies and society, even as gender-based stereotypes and norms still persist.

But Audrey Hill-Uekawa notes that, while it is remarkable Japan has its inaugural woman leader, it is important to recall it required her over three decades to get to that position.

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

Ms Hill-Uekawa further states that she ought not be placed 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 everyone else.”

Political Background and Influences

It is not just what Takaichi has said which has led people to label her as a supporter of the male-dominated system.

Additionally, it is apparent by who her champions inside the party have been.

She's the protégé of the deceased former conservative prime minister a previous leader, and was endorsed in the leadership election by a senior politician – a prominent member in the LDP at the head of one of the ruling party's most influential 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 furthers this notion that we must be compliant with the status quo,” 21-year-old Minori Konishi says.

The 21-year-old agrees, saying that with her as a symbol for females in politics, “people are going to expect the identical from women as too”.

“They're going to expect women to be compliant, not go against the ideals that they have, and it might make our job harder.”

Upcoming Challenges and Expectations

Achieving this milestone, however, was just the first of the challenges Takaichi will face – including tackling a slow growth and inflation and winning back the confidence of a frustrated and irate electorate, as in addition to hosting the US leader within a short time of assuming office.

It's safe to say that no-one expects women's rights matters to be high on her agenda.