To numerous female youth in Japan currently, the image of Sanae Takaichi taking the helm as the nation's inaugural woman prime minister is impactful and formative.
This signifies a male-oriented culture and a political system that has long been dominated by men is currently headed by a woman.
But while the appearances speak of a forward-thinking era, some women do not view her as an advocate for change.
“It was quite fascinating to see how people beyond Japan's borders have responded to the announcement,” a 21-year-old states.
“Everyone's like, ‘wow, she's the inaugural woman prime minister in Japanese history and that would be a significant chance for female advancement and equal rights in Japan’.
In my opinion that's a very naive view.”
Instead, Ms Ogura points to her “ideological stance and what she stands for,” adding: “She perpetuates the patriarchal system.”
A strong admirer of Margaret Thatcher, Sanae Takaichi has always wanted to be the “Steel Magnolia” of her nation.
And like Thatcher, Takaichi is a firm conservative.
Observers say her ascension is a tactical move from the governing LDP to appeal to the more conservative supporters which had lately shifted towards Japan's parties further to the right.
Takaichi opposes marriage equality and has long stood against laws that would permit spouses to have separate surnames, preventing many women from retaining their birth surnames.
She's also against women being in eligible for the throne in the royal household.
However, she did soften certain her statements during her election bid – saying she supports giving tax incentives to businesses that provide childcare facilities to their staff and spoke of possible deductions for households investing in childcare.
But she has historically supported the notion of a more traditional position for females in society 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 Inequality in Perspective
Japanese women are among the best educated and highest qualified in the globe and yet they struggle with the expectations of a conservative society that still directs them into conventional positions.
Based on the 2025 gender gap index by the World Economic Forum, Japan placed 118th out of among 148 countries, with women's presence in the political arena particularly minimal.
Top roles have traditionally been dominated by males and Japan has faced difficulties to boost the number of female lawmakers and business leaders.
The globally fourth biggest economy ranks last among the Group of Seven nations when it comes to the percentage of women in its legislative body. In detail, women 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 announced that the “emergency” pill – a form of post-coital birth control available without prescription in over ninety nations – had at last been authorized for over the counter use in Japan.
Mixed Responses to the Historic Leadership
Nonetheless, certain individuals view Takaichi's rise to power as a critical juncture that could change how females perceive their prospects.
“There is great significance in Ms Takaichi assuming the role of prime minister, with a broader impact on the public,” a former mayor – who was elected as the nation's youngest female city leader in 2012 – informed Japan's Kyodo news agency.
Koshi argued Japan electing a female prime minister will “lower psychological barriers” for women and girls, helping them feel it is normal to “excel” as authorities in businesses and the community, even as biased expectations and expectations still remain.
But a 20-year-old notes that, while it is remarkable Japan has its first female leader, one must remember it took her more than 30 years to reach that office.
“She's also not really going against the grain. She's saying the identical views as the male politicians.”
Ms Hill-Uekawa further states that she ought not be placed on a platform just due to the fact she is a female.
“We need to make sure we're discussing her agenda. We need to be capable of criticise her equally as everyone else.”
Ideological Background and Associations
It is not only what Takaichi has stated which has led people to label her as a defender of the male-dominated system.
Additionally, it is evident by who her champions within the LDP have were.
She was mentored of the late former hawkish prime minister a previous leader, and was backed in the party vote by Taro Aso – a prominent member in the ruling party at the leadership of one of the government's most powerful conservative blocs.
Their group's support for Sanae Takaichi was pivotal in consolidating the party's right wing behind her.
“I believe that it is difficult for females to somewhat relate to her success because it promotes this notion that we must be obedient with the status quo,” young adult Minori Konishi remarks.
The 21-year-old concurs, stating that with her as a symbol for females in politics, “people are likely to anticipate the identical from us as well”.
“They're going to expect us to be conforming, not oppose the ideals that they hold, and it might make our job harder.”
Upcoming Obstacles and Expectations
Achieving this milestone, though, was just the first of the challenges Takaichi will encounter – including addressing a sluggish economy and inflation and winning back the trust of a frustrated and irate voting public, as well as hosting the US leader within days of taking power.
It's safe to say that few anticipate women's rights matters to be a top priority on her agenda.
