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To numerous female youth in Japan today, the sight of Sanae Takaichi taking the helm as the country's first ever woman leader is powerful and influential.

This signifies a male-oriented culture and a political system that has historically been controlled by men is currently headed by a woman.

But while the optics suggest a forward-thinking era, some women do not view her as an champion of progress.

It was rather interesting to observe how individuals beyond Japan's borders have reacted to the news,” Ayda Ogura says.

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

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

Conversely, the young woman highlights her “political beliefs and what she represents,” noting: “She perpetuates the patriarchal system.”

A strong admirer of Margaret Thatcher, Sanae Takaichi has always wanted to be the “Iron Lady” of her country.

Similar to Thatcher, Takaichi is a staunch right-wing politician.

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

Takaichi opposes marriage equality and has consistently voted against legislation that would allow spouses to have different last names, blocking many females from keeping their birth surnames.

Additionally, she is opposed to females being in line for succession in the royal household.

However, she moderated some of her statements during her election bid – saying she favours giving financial benefits to companies that provide childcare facilities to their staff and mentioned potential deductions for families investing in childcare.

Yet she has over the years backed the notion of a more traditional position for females in society and in the home.

When it comes to gender matters, Takaichi is consistent with her nation's subpar record on gender issues.

Japan's Inequality in Perspective

Japanese women are some of the most highly educated and most skilled 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 gender gap index by the World Economic Forum, Japan placed 118th among nearly 150 nations, with women's presence in the field of politics particularly minimal.

Leadership positions 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 at the bottom among the G7 countries when it comes to the percentage of females in its legislative body. Specifically, 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 more than 90 nations – had at last been authorized for non-prescription sales in Japan.

Mixed Responses to the Landmark Appointment

Even so, certain individuals view Takaichi's rise to power as a critical juncture that could alter how women perceive their prospects.

“There is great significance in the new prime minister assuming the role of prime minister, with a broader impact on society,” a former mayor – who was elected as the country's youngest female city leader in 2012 – told local media.

Koshi argued Japan electing a female prime minister will “lower psychological barriers” for women and girls, helping them feel it is normal to “stand out” as authorities in businesses and society, even as biased expectations and norms still persist.

But Audrey Hill-Uekawa points out that, while it is remarkable Japan has its first female prime minister, it is important to recall it required her over three decades to get to that position.

“Additionally, she is not truly going against the grain. She's saying the same thing as the male politicians.”

Ms Hill-Uekawa adds that she ought not be placed on a platform just due to the fact she is a female.

“It is essential to ensure we're talking about her agenda. We must be capable of criticise her equally as everyone else.”

Ideological Background and Influences

It is not only what Takaichi has said which has caused individuals to describe her as a defender of the patriarchy.

It's also evident by which individuals her champions within the LDP have were.

She's the protégé of the deceased ex- hawkish prime minister a previous leader, and was backed in the party vote by a senior politician – a senior figure in the LDP at the head of one of the ruling party's most powerful right-wing factions.

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

“I do feel that it is challenging for females to sort of relate to her success because it promotes this idea that we must be compliant with the status quo,” young adult a citizen says.

Ms Ogura agrees, stating that with her as a figurehead for women in politics, “the public are going to expect the identical from women as well”.

“They're going to expect us to be compliant, not oppose the ideals that they hold, and it could render our role harder.”

Future Obstacles and Anticipations

Making history, however, was just the first of the difficulties Takaichi will encounter – including tackling a sluggish economy and inflation and regaining the confidence of a discontented and angry electorate, as in addition to welcoming the US leader within days of taking power.

It's safe to say that few anticipate women's rights matters to be high on her agenda.