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For many female youth in Japan currently, the image of Sanae Takaichi assuming leadership as the country's first ever female leader is powerful and formative.

This signifies a male-oriented culture and a government structure that has historically been controlled by men is now led by a woman.

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

“It was quite interesting to see how individuals outside Japan have reacted to the news,” Ayda Ogura says.

People are saying, ‘wow, she's the inaugural woman prime minister in the nation's past and that would be a great opportunity for women empowerment and gender equality in Japan’.

“I think that's a rather simplistic interpretation.”

Instead, Ms Ogura 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 nation.

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

Analysts note her leadership is a tactical move from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party to appeal to the more conservative base which had lately shifted towards Japan's more extreme conservative groups.

The leader is against same-sex marriage and has long stood against legislation that would permit spouses to have separate surnames, preventing many females from keeping their birth surnames.

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

Nonetheless, she did soften some of her messaging during her campaign – stating she favours giving tax incentives to companies that provide daycare services to their employees and mentioned potential deductions for families spending on child-rearing.

But she has historically supported the notion of a conventional position for women in the community and in the family.

Regarding gender matters, Takaichi is aligned with her nation's subpar performance on equality concerns.

The Country's Inequality in Context

Women in Japan are among the most highly educated and most skilled in the world and yet they struggle with the demands of a conservative society that still directs them into traditional roles.

Based on the 2025 equality ranking by the World Economic Forum, Japan placed 118th out of among 148 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 corporate executives.

The globally fourth biggest economy ranks at the bottom among the G7 countries when it comes to the share of women in its legislative body. In detail, females constitute about less than 16% of lawmakers in Japan, the smallest proportion among the seven major economies.

Progress is also sluggish when it comes to female healthcare: only this week was it revealed that the “morning after” pill – a type of post-coital birth control sold over the counter in over ninety nations – had finally been approved for non-prescription sales in Japan.

Differing Responses to the Landmark Appointment

Nonetheless, certain individuals view Takaichi's rise to power as a critical juncture that could alter how females view their prospects.

“It is highly meaningful in the new prime minister becoming prime minister, with a broader impact on society,” a former mayor – who became the nation's most youthful woman city leader in 2012 – informed 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 normal to “stand out” as authorities in businesses and society, despite biased expectations and expectations still remain.

But Audrey Hill-Uekawa notes that, while it is notable Japan has its inaugural woman prime minister, it is important to recall it took her over three decades to reach that position.

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

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

“It is essential to make sure we're discussing her policies. We need to be capable of criticise her equally as everyone else.”

Political Context and Associations

It is not just what Takaichi has stated which has led people to label her as a defender of the patriarchy.

It's also apparent by which individuals her champions inside the party have been.

She was mentored of the late former conservative prime minister Shinzo Abe, and was backed in the leadership election by a senior politician – a senior figure in the ruling party at the head of one of the government's most powerful right-wing factions.

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

“I do feel that it is challenging for women to sort of identify with her success because it promotes this notion that we have to be compliant with the status quo,” young adult Minori Konishi remarks.

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

“They will demand women to be compliant, not oppose the beliefs that they have, and it could render our job harder.”

Future Challenges and Expectations

Making history, however, was only the initial of the difficulties Takaichi will face – including tackling a sluggish economy and inflation and winning back the trust of a discontented and angry electorate, as well as hosting president Trump within a short time of taking power.

One can reasonably assume that few anticipate women's rights matters to be high on her agenda.