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

This signifies a patriarchal society and a government structure that has historically been controlled by men is currently headed by a woman.

But while the optics suggest a progressive moment, some women don't see her as an champion of progress.

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

People are saying, ‘wow, she's the inaugural woman 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 very naive interpretation.”

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

A big fan of Britain's first female prime minister, Sanae Takaichi has long aspired to be the “Steel Magnolia” of her nation.

And like Thatcher, Takaichi is a firm conservative.

Observers say her leadership is a strategic decision from the ruling LDP to attract the more conservative supporters which had lately shifted towards Japan's more extreme conservative groups.

The leader is against marriage equality and has consistently voted against laws that would permit spouses to have different last names, blocking many females from retaining their maiden names.

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

Nonetheless, she moderated certain her statements during her election bid – saying she supports giving tax incentives to companies that offer daycare services to their staff and mentioned possible tax breaks for families spending on child-rearing.

But she has over the years supported the notion of a more traditional position for females in society and in the family.

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

The Country's Inequality in Context

Japanese women are some of the most highly educated and most skilled in the globe and yet they struggle with the demands of a conservative society that still directs them into conventional positions.

Based on 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 traditionally been dominated by males and Japan has faced difficulties to increase the number of female lawmakers and business leaders.

The globally fourth biggest economic power ranks last among the G7 countries when it comes to the share of women in its legislative body. Specifically, females constitute about 15.7% of legislators in Japan, the lowest figure among the G7.

Progress is also sluggish when it comes to women's reproductive health: only this week was it revealed that the “morning after” pill – a type of post-coital birth control sold over the counter in more than 90 countries – had at last been authorized for over the counter use in Japan.

Mixed Reactions to the Historic Appointment

Even so, certain individuals view Takaichi's ascent as a critical juncture that could change how females perceive their prospects.

“It is highly meaningful in the new prime minister assuming the role of prime minister, with a broader impact on the public,” a former mayor – who became the nation's youngest female mayor in 2012 – told local media.

She contended Japan having a woman prime minister will “reduce psychological barriers” for females of all ages, enabling them to believe it is acceptable to “stand out” as authorities in companies and the community, despite biased expectations and norms still persist.

However a 20-year-old notes that, while it is remarkable Japan has its first female prime minister, it is important to recall it took her over three decades to reach that position.

“Additionally, she is not really challenging the norm. She expresses the identical views as the male politicians.”

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

“We need to make sure we're talking about her agenda. We need to be able to criticise her fairly as everyone else.”

Political Context and Influences

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

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

She was mentored of the late ex- conservative prime minister Shinzo Abe, and was backed in the party vote by a senior politician – a senior figure in the LDP at the head of one of the government's most influential right-wing factions.

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

“I believe that it is challenging for women to sort of identify with her success because it furthers this notion that we have to be obedient with the existing system,” 21-year-old a citizen says.

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

“They will demand women to be conforming, not oppose the beliefs that they hold, and it could render our role more difficult.”

Upcoming Challenges and Anticipations

Making history, however, was just the first of the difficulties Takaichi will face – not least addressing a sluggish economy and inflation and winning back the confidence of a frustrated and angry electorate, as well as hosting president Trump within days of assuming office.

One can reasonably assume that few anticipate women's rights matters to be a top priority on her priority list.