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For many female youth in Japan currently, the sight of Sanae Takaichi assuming leadership as the country's inaugural woman leader is impactful and formative.

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

But while the optics speak of a progressive moment, some women do not view her as an advocate for change.

“It was quite fascinating to observe how individuals beyond Japan's borders have responded to the news,” Ayda Ogura says.

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

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

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

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

And like Thatcher, Takaichi is a firm right-wing politician.

Observers say her ascension is a tactical move from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party to appeal to the increasingly right-leaning supporters which had recently gravitated towards Japan's parties further to the right.

Takaichi opposes same-sex marriage and has long stood against laws that would allow spouses to have separate surnames, blocking many women from keeping their birth surnames.

Additionally, she is against females being in line for succession in the imperial family.

Nonetheless, 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 staff and spoke of possible deductions for families investing in childcare.

Yet she has over the years supported the idea of a conventional position for women in society and in the home.

Regarding gender matters, Takaichi is consistent with her country's less than impressive performance on gender issues.

The Country's Inequality in Perspective

Japanese women are among the most highly educated and most skilled in the world and yet they face challenges with the expectations of a traditional culture that still pushes them into conventional positions.

According to the 2025 equality ranking by the global organization, Japan placed 118th among 148 countries, with female representation in the political arena particularly minimal.

Top roles have historically been held by males and Japan has faced difficulties to increase the quantity 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 share of females in its legislative body. In detail, females constitute about 15.7% 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 over the counter use in Japan.

Differing Reactions to the Historic Appointment

Nonetheless, certain individuals view Takaichi's ascent as a critical juncture that could alter how women view their opportunities.

“It is highly meaningful in Ms Takaichi becoming prime minister, with a wider influence on society,” a former mayor – who was elected as the nation's youngest female city leader in 2012 – told local media.

Koshi argued Japan having a female prime minister will “lower psychological barriers” for women and girls, enabling them to believe it is acceptable to “stand out” as authorities in companies and the community, even as gender-based stereotypes and expectations still remain.

But Audrey Hill-Uekawa notes 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.

“She's also not really challenging the grain. She expresses the same thing as the male politicians.”

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

“We need to ensure we're discussing her agenda. We need to be able to evaluate her fairly as all other leaders.”

Ideological Context and Influences

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

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

She's the protégé of the deceased ex- conservative prime minister a previous leader, and was backed in the party vote by Taro Aso – a senior figure in the ruling party at the leadership of one of the government's most influential conservative blocs.

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

“I do feel that it is difficult for females to somewhat relate to her achievement because it promotes this idea that we must be obedient with the status quo,” young adult Minori Konishi remarks.

The 21-year-old concurs, stating that with her as a symbol for females in politics, “people are likely to anticipate the identical from women as too”.

“They're going to expect women to be conforming, not go against the beliefs that they hold, and it could render our job more difficult.”

Upcoming Obstacles and Expectations

Making history, however, was just the first of the challenges Takaichi will encounter – not least tackling a slow growth and inflation and winning back the trust of a frustrated and irate voting public, as well as hosting the US leader within days of taking power.

It's safe to say that no-one expects women's rights matters to be a top priority on her priority list.