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To numerous female youth in Japan today, the image of Sanae Takaichi assuming leadership as the nation's inaugural woman leader is powerful and formative.

It means a patriarchal society and a government structure that has historically been controlled by men is now led by a woman.

However, although the appearances suggest a progressive moment, some women don't see her as an champion of progress.

It was rather interesting to see how individuals beyond Japan's borders have responded to the announcement,” Ayda Ogura states.

“Everyone's like, ‘wow, she's the first female prime minister in the nation's past and that would be a great opportunity for women empowerment and gender equality in Japan’.

In my opinion that's a very naive interpretation.”

Instead, the young woman highlights her “ideological stance and what she represents,” noting: “She reinforces the patriarchal system.”

A big fan of Britain's first female prime minister, Sanae Takaichi has always wanted to be the “Iron Lady” of her country.

And like Thatcher, Takaichi is a staunch conservative.

Observers say her ascension is a strategic decision from the ruling LDP to appeal to the increasingly right-leaning supporters which had recently gravitated towards Japan's parties further to the right.

Takaichi opposes marriage equality and has consistently voted against laws that would permit spouses to have different last names, blocking many women from retaining their maiden names.

Additionally, she is against women being in eligible for the throne in the imperial family.

However, she did soften some of her statements during her election bid – saying she supports giving financial benefits to companies that provide daycare services to their employees and mentioned possible deductions for families spending on childcare.

Yet she has over the years backed the notion of a more traditional role for women in society and in the family.

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

Japan's Gender Gap in Context

Japanese women are some of the best educated and highest qualified in the world and yet they face challenges with the expectations of a conservative society that still pushes them into traditional roles.

According to the 2025 equality ranking by the global organization, Japan ranked 118th out of among 148 nations, with female representation in the political arena notably low.

Top roles have historically been held by males and Japan has faced difficulties to boost the number of female lawmakers and corporate executives.

The globally fourth biggest economic power places at the bottom among the G7 countries when it comes to the percentage of females in its national parliament. Specifically, females constitute about 15.7% of legislators in Japan, the lowest figure among the G7.

It is even slow when it comes to women's reproductive health: recently 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 Reactions to the Historic Appointment

Nonetheless, certain individuals view Takaichi's rise to power as a pivotal moment that could alter how females view their opportunities.

“It is highly meaningful in the new prime minister becoming prime minister, with a wider influence on the public,” Naomi Koshi – who was elected as the country's most youthful woman mayor in 2012 – told local media.

She contended Japan electing 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 companies and society, despite biased expectations and norms still remain.

However a 20-year-old points out that, while it is remarkable Japan has its inaugural woman leader, one must remember it required her more than 30 years to get to that office.

“Additionally, she is not truly going against the grain. She expresses the same thing as the men.”

The young woman adds that she ought not be placed on a pedestal just due to the fact she is a woman.

“It is essential to ensure we're talking about her agenda. We need to be capable of evaluate her fairly as all other leaders.”

Political Context and Influences

It is not only what Takaichi has said which has caused individuals to describe her as a supporter of the male-dominated system.

Additionally, it is apparent by who her champions inside the party have were.

She's the protégé of the late ex- hawkish prime minister Shinzo Abe, and was backed in the party vote by a senior politician – a senior figure in the ruling party at the leadership of one of the ruling party's most influential right-wing factions.

Their group's support for Sanae Takaichi was pivotal in consolidating the party's right wing in her favor.

“I do feel that it is difficult for women to somewhat relate to her achievement because it promotes this idea that we have to be obedient with the status quo,” young adult a citizen says.

Ms Ogura concurs, saying that with her as a symbol for females in government, “people are going to expect the same from us as too”.

“They're going to expect women to be conforming, not oppose the ideals that they have, and it might make our job harder.”

Future Obstacles and Anticipations

Making history, though, was just the first of the difficulties Takaichi will encounter – including tackling a sluggish economy and inflation and winning back the confidence of a frustrated and irate electorate, as in addition to welcoming president Trump within a short time of taking power.

One can reasonably assume that few anticipate gender equality issues to be a top priority on her priority list.