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For many female youth in Japan currently, the sight of Sanae Takaichi taking the helm as the nation's first ever woman prime minister is powerful and formative.

This signifies a patriarchal society and a government structure that has historically been controlled by men is now led by a female.

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

“It was quite interesting to observe how people outside Japan 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 significant chance for women empowerment and equal rights in Japan’.

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

Conversely, the young woman highlights her “ideological stance and what she stands for,” adding: “She perpetuates the male-dominated structure.”

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

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

Observers say her ascension is a tactical move from the governing LDP to attract the more conservative supporters which had lately shifted towards Japan's parties further to the right.

Takaichi opposes same-sex marriage and has long stood against legislation that would allow married couples to have separate surnames, blocking many females from keeping their birth surnames.

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

Nonetheless, she did soften some of her messaging during her election bid – saying she favours giving financial benefits to companies that offer childcare facilities to their employees and mentioned possible deductions for families investing in child-rearing.

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

Regarding women's issues, Takaichi is aligned with her nation's subpar record on equality concerns.

Japan's Inequality in Context

Japanese women are among the most highly educated and highest qualified in the world and yet they struggle with the demands of a traditional culture that still directs them into traditional roles.

According to the 2025 gender gap index by the World Economic Forum, Japan placed 118th out of among 148 countries, with women's presence in the political arena particularly minimal.

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

The world's fourth largest economic power places last among the G7 countries when it comes to the share of women in its national parliament. Specifically, females make up about less than 16% of lawmakers in Japan, the lowest figure among the seven major economies.

It is even slow when it comes to female healthcare: only this week was it announced that the “emergency” pill – a type of emergency contraception available without prescription in over ninety nations – had finally been approved for over the counter use in Japan.

Differing Responses to the Landmark Leadership

Even so, some see Takaichi's rise to power as a critical juncture that could alter how women perceive their opportunities.

“It is highly meaningful in the new prime minister assuming the role of prime minister, with a wider influence on society,” a former mayor – who was elected as the country's youngest female city leader in 2012 – told Japan's Kyodo news agency.

Koshi argued Japan having a woman prime minister will “lower mental obstacles” for females of all ages, enabling them to believe it is normal to “excel” as leaders in businesses and the community, despite gender-based stereotypes and norms still persist.

But Audrey Hill-Uekawa points out that, while it is remarkable Japan has its first female prime minister, one must remember it required her more than 30 years to get to that position.

“She's also not truly going against the grain. She expresses the same thing as the men.”

The young woman adds that she shouldn't be put on a platform simply because she is a female.

“We need to ensure we're discussing her policies. We need to be capable of criticise her fairly as all other leaders.”

Political Context and Associations

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

Additionally, it is evident by which individuals her champions within the LDP have been.

She's the protégé of the deceased ex- conservative prime minister a previous leader, and was endorsed 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 crucial in uniting the conservative 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 must be obedient with the existing system,” young adult Minori Konishi remarks.

The 21-year-old concurs, saying that with her as a symbol for women in government, “people are likely to anticipate the same from women as well”.

“They will demand women to be conforming, not go against the ideals that they hold, and it could render our job harder.”

Future Challenges and Anticipations

Making history, however, was just the first of the challenges Takaichi will face – including tackling a slow growth and rising prices and regaining the confidence of a frustrated and angry voting public, as well as hosting the US leader within days of assuming office.

It's safe to say that no-one expects gender equality issues to be high on her priority list.