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To numerous young girls in Japan today, the image of Sanae Takaichi taking the helm as the country's inaugural woman prime minister is impactful and formative.

This signifies a patriarchal society and a political system that has historically been controlled by men is now led by a woman.

However, although the appearances speak of a progressive moment, certain females do not view her as an advocate for change.

“It was quite interesting to observe how people outside Japan have reacted to the announcement,” a 21-year-old says.

“Everyone's like, ‘wow, she's the inaugural woman prime minister in the nation's past and that would be a significant chance for female advancement and equal rights in Japan’.

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

Conversely, the young woman points to her “political beliefs and what she stands for,” noting: “She perpetuates the patriarchal system.”

A strong admirer of Britain's first female prime minister, Sanae Takaichi has long aspired to be the “Iron Lady” of her nation.

Similar to Thatcher, Takaichi is a staunch conservative.

Observers say her leadership is a tactical move from the ruling LDP to attract the more conservative supporters which had recently gravitated towards Japan's parties further to the right.

Takaichi opposes same-sex marriage and has long stood against legislation that would permit spouses to have different last names, preventing many females from keeping their birth surnames.

Additionally, she is opposed to females being in line for succession in the imperial family.

However, she moderated certain her statements during her campaign – stating she supports giving tax incentives to businesses that provide daycare services to their staff and mentioned potential tax breaks for families investing in childcare.

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

Regarding gender matters, Takaichi is consistent with her country's subpar performance on gender issues.

The Country's Gender Gap in Context

Women in Japan are among the best educated and highest qualified in the world and yet they struggle with the expectations of a traditional culture that still directs them into traditional roles.

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 notably low.

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

The globally fourth biggest economic power places at the bottom among the G7 countries when it comes to the share of females in its national parliament. In detail, females constitute about 15.7% of lawmakers in Japan, the lowest figure among the G7.

Progress is also sluggish when it comes to female healthcare: only this week was it announced that the “morning after” pill – a type of emergency contraception available without prescription in over ninety countries – had at last been authorized 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 change how females view their prospects.

“It is highly meaningful in Ms Takaichi assuming the role of prime minister, with a wider influence on society,” Naomi Koshi – who became the nation's youngest female city leader in 2012 – told Japan's Kyodo news agency.

Koshi argued Japan having a woman prime minister will “lower mental obstacles” for females of all ages, helping them feel it is acceptable to “excel” as authorities in businesses and the community, even as biased expectations and expectations still persist.

But Audrey Hill-Uekawa points out that, while it is notable Japan has its first female prime minister, it is important to recall it took her more than 30 years to get to that position.

“Additionally, she is not really challenging the norm. She's saying the identical views as the male politicians.”

The young woman adds that she shouldn't be put on a platform simply because she is a female.

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

Political Background and Influences

It is not only what Takaichi has stated which has led people to label her as a supporter of the patriarchy.

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

She was mentored of the late former conservative prime minister Shinzo Abe, and was backed in the party vote by a senior politician – a senior figure in the ruling party at the leadership of one of the government's most powerful right-wing factions.

Their group's backing for Sanae Takaichi was pivotal in consolidating the conservative wing in her favor.

“I do feel that it is difficult for females to somewhat relate to her success because it furthers this notion that we have to 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 women in government, “the public are likely to anticipate the identical from us as well”.

“They will demand women to be compliant, not go against the beliefs that they have, and it could render our role more difficult.”

Upcoming Obstacles and Anticipations

Achieving this milestone, however, was just the first of the challenges Takaichi will encounter – including addressing a slow growth and rising prices and regaining the confidence of a frustrated and irate voting public, as in addition to hosting the US leader within a short time of taking power.

It's safe to say that no-one expects gender equality issues to be high on her agenda.