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For many young girls in Japan currently, the sight of Sanae Takaichi assuming leadership as the country's inaugural female prime minister is powerful and influential.

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

However, although the optics speak of a forward-thinking era, certain females don't see her as an advocate for change.

It was rather fascinating to see how people outside Japan have reacted to the announcement,” a 21-year-old 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 equal rights in Japan’.

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

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

A big fan 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 firm conservative.

Observers say her ascension is a strategic decision from the ruling LDP to appeal to the increasingly right-leaning base which had recently gravitated towards Japan's more extreme conservative groups.

Takaichi opposes same-sex marriage and has consistently voted against laws that would allow married couples to have separate surnames, blocking many females from keeping their maiden names.

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

Nonetheless, she did soften some of her messaging during her election bid – stating she favours giving tax incentives to companies that offer childcare facilities to their employees and spoke of potential tax breaks for households investing in childcare.

Yet she has over the years backed the idea of a conventional role for women in the community and in the family.

When it comes to women's issues, Takaichi is aligned with her country's subpar record on gender issues.

Japan's Gender Gap in Perspective

Japanese women are some of the most highly educated and most skilled in the world and yet they face challenges with the expectations 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 nearly 150 nations, with women's presence in the political arena notably low.

Top roles have historically been held by males and Japan has faced difficulties to boost the number of women legislators and corporate executives.

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

It is even slow when it comes to women's reproductive health: recently was it revealed that the “morning after” pill – a form of post-coital birth control sold over the counter in over ninety nations – had finally been approved for non-prescription sales in Japan.

Differing Responses to the Historic Appointment

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

“It is highly meaningful in the new prime minister becoming prime minister, with a wider influence on society,” a former mayor – who was elected as the nation's most youthful woman city leader in 2012 – told Japan's Kyodo news agency.

She contended Japan having a female prime minister will “reduce mental obstacles” for females of all ages, enabling them to believe it is acceptable to “stand out” as leaders in businesses and the community, despite gender-based stereotypes and norms still remain.

But a 20-year-old notes that, while it is notable Japan has its inaugural woman leader, one must remember it required her over three decades to reach that position.

“She's also not really challenging the grain. She expresses the identical views as the male politicians.”

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

“We need to ensure we're discussing her policies. We need to be able to criticise her equally as all other leaders.”

Political Background and Influences

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

Additionally, it is evident by who her champions inside the party have were.

She was mentored of the late ex- conservative prime minister a previous leader, and was backed in the leadership election by Taro Aso – a senior figure in the ruling party at the leadership of one of the ruling party's most powerful conservative blocs.

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

“I do feel that it is difficult for women to sort of relate to her success because it promotes this notion that we must be obedient with the status quo,” 21-year-old Minori Konishi says.

The 21-year-old concurs, saying that with her as a symbol for women in government, “people are going to expect the identical from us as well”.

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

Upcoming Challenges and Expectations

Making history, however, was only the initial of the difficulties Takaichi will face – including tackling a slow growth and inflation and regaining the trust of a frustrated and angry voting public, as in addition to hosting the US leader within days of assuming office.

It's safe to say that few anticipate women's rights matters to be high on her priority list.