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For many female youth in Japan today, the sight of Sanae Takaichi taking the helm as the nation's inaugural woman leader is powerful and formative.

This signifies a patriarchal society and a political system that has historically been controlled by men is currently headed by a female.

However, although the optics speak of a progressive moment, certain females don't see her as an champion of progress.

“It was quite interesting to observe how individuals outside Japan have responded to the announcement,” Ayda Ogura states.

“Everyone's like, ‘wow, she's the first female prime minister in Japanese history and that would be a significant chance for female advancement and gender equality in Japan’.

In my opinion that's a rather simplistic interpretation.”

Conversely, Ms Ogura highlights her “political beliefs and what she represents,” adding: “She reinforces the patriarchal system.”

A big fan of Margaret Thatcher, Sanae Takaichi has long aspired to be the “Iron Lady” of her nation.

And like Thatcher, Takaichi is a staunch conservative.

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

The leader is against marriage equality and has consistently voted against legislation that would permit married couples to have separate surnames, preventing many females from keeping their maiden names.

She's also against females being in line for succession in the imperial family.

However, she moderated certain her messaging during her campaign – saying she favours giving financial benefits to businesses that offer daycare services to their staff and mentioned possible deductions for households investing in childcare.

But she has historically supported the idea of a more traditional position for females in the community and in the home.

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

Japan's Inequality in Context

Japanese women are some of the most highly educated and highest qualified in the world and yet they face challenges with the expectations of a conservative society that still directs them into conventional positions.

Based on the 2025 equality ranking by the World Economic Forum, Japan placed 118th out of among nearly 150 countries, with female representation in the field of politics particularly minimal.

Top roles have historically been held by males and Japan has faced difficulties to increase the number of women legislators and business leaders.

The world's fourth largest economic power ranks last among the Group of Seven nations when it comes to the share of women in its national parliament. In detail, women 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: only this week was it revealed that the “emergency” pill – a type of post-coital birth control available without prescription in more than 90 countries – had at last been authorized for non-prescription sales in Japan.

Mixed Reactions to the Landmark Leadership

Nonetheless, some see Takaichi's rise to power as a critical juncture that could change how women view their prospects.

“There is great significance in Ms Takaichi becoming prime minister, with a broader impact on society,” Naomi Koshi – who was elected as the nation's youngest female city leader in 2012 – informed Japan's Kyodo news agency.

Koshi argued Japan having a female prime minister will “reduce mental obstacles” for females of all ages, enabling them to believe it is acceptable to “excel” as leaders in businesses and the community, despite biased expectations and expectations still persist.

However a 20-year-old points out that, while it is remarkable Japan has its first female prime minister, it is important to recall it took her more than 30 years to get to that office.

“Additionally, she is not really challenging the grain. She's saying the same thing as the male politicians.”

The young woman adds that she ought not be placed on a platform simply because she is a woman.

“It is essential to make sure we're talking about her policies. We need to be able to evaluate her equally as all other leaders.”

Ideological Context and Associations

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

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

She's the protégé of the deceased former hawkish prime minister a previous leader, and was backed in the party vote by Taro Aso – a senior figure in the ruling party at the head of one of the government's most influential right-wing factions.

His faction's support for Sanae Takaichi was crucial in consolidating the party's right wing in her favor.

“I do feel that it is challenging for women to somewhat relate to her success because it promotes this notion that we must be obedient with the status quo,” 21-year-old a citizen remarks.

Ms Ogura concurs, stating that with her as a symbol for women in government, “people are likely to anticipate the identical from women as too”.

“They're going to expect us to be conforming, not oppose the ideals that they have, and it could render our job more difficult.”

Upcoming Challenges and Anticipations

Making history, however, was just the first of the difficulties Takaichi will face – including addressing a sluggish economy and rising prices and regaining the trust of a discontented and angry electorate, as well as hosting the US leader within a short time of taking power.

One can reasonably assume that few anticipate gender equality issues to be high on her agenda.