After Sanae Takaichi took office as Japan’s first woman prime minister, AFP spoke to some of her younger counterparts who called it a symbolic victory.

The three local councillors anticipate Takaichi’s win will do little to shift the male-dominated world of politics or entrenched expectations that women will prioritise family over career.

– ‘Get married’ –

After spending time away, Makoto Sasaki returned to her northern hometown Miyako, hoping to change local politics.

But as soon as she arrived, she was told by members of the public to focus on having a family.

“They said, ‘You won’t be able to get married if you work so hard’,” Sasaki told AFP.

They also said I “wouldn’t be a proper adult without giving birth”, she recalled.

“It was shocking.”

In Japan, gender roles are rigid, wi

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