Sanae Takaichi: Japan's First Female Prime Minister Faces Ambivalence

Wed Oct 22 2025 04:31:05 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

As Japan witnesses the historic rise of Sanae Takaichi as its first female prime minister, the moment is tinged with mixed sentiments about gender equality, societal expectations, and political conservatism.

The inauguration of Sanae Takaichi as Japan's first female prime minister represents a significant milestone in a traditionally male-dominated political landscape. While her leadership is viewed as a symbolic triumph for women in Japan, critiques arise regarding her conservative policies and their implications for gender equality. Many young women express skepticism about her role, fearing that her leadership may reinforce existing patriarchal structures instead of challenging them. The hope for a genuine advancement in women's rights remains uncertain as Takaichi's administration grapples with pressing economic challenges and a conservative agenda.

For many young girls in Japan today, the image of Sanae Takaichi taking the helm of power as the country's first-ever female leader is powerful and formative. It symbolises a shift in a patriarchal society and a political system long dominated by men.

However, while this moment appears progressive, some Japanese women do not consider Takaichi an advocate for real change. It was quite interesting to see how people outside Japan have reacted to the news, noted Ayda Ogura, 21. She emphasized that rather than a step towards greater empowerment and gender equality, Takaichi's rise may reinforce the existing patriarchal system.

A big fan of Margaret Thatcher, Takaichi mirrors her conservative ideals, opposing same-sex marriage and legislation that would allow married couples to maintain separate surnames, among other traditionalist views. Observers argue that her leadership might be a strategic move by the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) to appeal to a right-leaning base.

Despite some softened messaging during her campaign — including support for tax incentives for companies providing childcare facilities — Takaichi's traditionalist stance strikes a discordant note for many advocates of gender equality.

Women in Japan face significant societal expectations, and despite being among the most well-educated, they encounter persistent barriers in politics and business. The country ranks 118th in the 2025 Gender Gap Index, with only 15.7% of lawmakers being women, the lowest in the G7.

Nonetheless, Takaichi's leadership is seen by some as a pivotal moment. There is great significance in Ms. Takaichi becoming prime minister, with a broader impact on society, expressed Naomi Koshi, Japan's youngest female mayor in 2012. She argued this could help lower psychological barriers for women aspiring to leadership roles.

However, critics like Audrey Hill-Uekawa, 20, remind us that Takaichi's ascent took over three decades, and her views do not significantly diverge from her male predecessors. We need to make sure we're talking about her policies. We need to be able to criticize her equally as everyone else, she asserted.

Takaichi's rise is just the beginning of substantial challenges, including economic recovery and maintaining voter trust amid societal expectations. As Japan enters this new political era, key questions about gender equality and progressive policies remain largely unanswered.