Japan's First Woman Prime Minister: An Unprecedented Event with Caveats

To numerous female youth in Japan currently, the sight of Sanae Takaichi taking the helm as the nation's first ever female leader is impactful and influential.

It means a male-oriented culture and a government structure that has long been dominated by men is currently headed by a female.

But while the optics suggest a forward-thinking era, some women do not view her as an champion of progress.

“It was quite interesting to see how people outside Japan have reacted to the news,” Ayda Ogura states.

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

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

Instead, the young woman points to her “ideological stance and what she stands for,” adding: “She reinforces the patriarchal system.”

A strong admirer of Margaret Thatcher, Sanae Takaichi has always wanted to be the “Steel Magnolia” of her country.

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

Analysts note her ascension is a tactical move from the governing Liberal Democratic Party to appeal to the more conservative base which had recently gravitated towards Japan's parties further to the right.

The leader is against same-sex marriage and has consistently voted against legislation that would permit married couples to have different last names, preventing many women from keeping their birth surnames.

Additionally, she is opposed to women being in eligible for the throne in the royal household.

However, she moderated certain her messaging during her election bid – saying she supports giving tax incentives to companies that offer childcare facilities to their staff and spoke of possible deductions for families spending on childcare.

But she has historically backed the notion of a conventional role for females in society and in the family.

When it comes to gender matters, Takaichi is aligned with her country's less than impressive record on gender issues.

The Country's Inequality in Context

Women in Japan are some of the most highly educated and highest qualified in the world and yet they face challenges with the demands of a conservative society that still directs them into traditional roles.

According to the 2025 gender gap index by the global organization, Japan placed 118th among nearly 150 nations, with women's presence in the field of politics notably low.

Leadership positions have historically been held by men and Japan has struggled to boost the number of female lawmakers and business leaders.

The world's fourth largest economy places last among the G7 countries when it comes to the percentage of females in its legislative body. In detail, females constitute about 15.7% 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 type of emergency contraception available without prescription in more than 90 countries – had at last been authorized for over the counter use in Japan.

Mixed Responses to the Historic Appointment

Nonetheless, some see Takaichi's rise to power as a pivotal moment that could alter how women perceive their opportunities.

“There is great significance in Ms Takaichi assuming the role of prime minister, with a wider influence on society,” a former mayor – who was elected as the nation's most youthful woman mayor in 2012 – told local media.

She contended Japan having a woman 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 the community, even as biased expectations and expectations still remain.

But a 20-year-old points out that, while it is notable Japan has its inaugural woman prime minister, it is important to recall it took her more than 30 years to reach that position.

“She's also not really going against the grain. She's saying the same thing as the men.”

Ms Hill-Uekawa further states that she ought not be placed on a platform simply because she is a woman.

“We need to ensure we're discussing her policies. We must be capable of evaluate her equally as everyone else.”

Ideological Context and Associations

It is not only what Takaichi has said which has caused individuals to describe her as a defender of the patriarchy.

Additionally, it is evident by who her champions within the LDP have were.

She was mentored of the deceased ex- hawkish prime minister a previous leader, and was backed in the leadership election by a senior politician – a senior figure in the ruling party at the leadership of one of the government's most influential right-wing factions.

His faction's backing for Sanae Takaichi was pivotal in uniting the conservative wing behind her.

“I do feel 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 existing system,” 21-year-old Minori Konishi remarks.

Ms Ogura agrees, stating that with her as a figurehead for women in government, “people are going to expect the same from us as well”.

“They're going to expect women to be compliant, not oppose the beliefs that they have, and it might make our job more difficult.”

Upcoming Challenges and Expectations

Making history, however, was only the initial of the difficulties Takaichi will face – not least addressing a slow growth and rising prices and regaining the confidence of a discontented and irate electorate, as well as welcoming the US leader within a short time of assuming office.

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