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To numerous female youth in Japan currently, the sight of Sanae Takaichi taking the helm as the nation's first ever female 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.

However, although the optics speak of a progressive moment, some women don't see her as an champion of progress.

It was rather fascinating to see how people outside Japan have responded to the announcement,” Ayda Ogura states.

People are saying, ‘wow, she's the first female prime minister in Japanese history and that would be a great opportunity for female advancement and equal rights in Japan’.

“I think that's a very naive view.”

Conversely, Ms Ogura points to her “ideological stance and what she represents,” noting: “She perpetuates 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 staunch right-wing politician.

Observers say her leadership is a strategic decision from the ruling LDP to attract the increasingly right-leaning base which had lately shifted towards Japan's parties further to the right.

The leader is against marriage equality and has consistently voted against laws that would permit married couples to have separate surnames, blocking many women from keeping their maiden names.

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

However, she moderated certain her statements during her campaign – saying she favours giving tax incentives to companies that provide childcare facilities to their employees and mentioned potential deductions for families investing in childcare.

Yet she has over the years backed the idea of a more traditional position for women in the community and in the family.

Regarding women's issues, Takaichi is aligned with her nation's less than impressive performance on gender issues.

Japan's Gender Gap in Perspective

Japanese women are some of the most highly educated and most skilled in the world and yet they struggle with the demands of a conservative society that still pushes them into traditional roles.

Based on 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.

Leadership positions have traditionally been dominated by men and Japan has faced difficulties to increase the number of women legislators and corporate executives.

The world's fourth largest economy ranks at the bottom among the G7 countries when it comes to the share of females in its legislative body. Specifically, women make up about 15.7% of lawmakers in Japan, the smallest proportion among the G7.

Progress is also sluggish when it comes to women's reproductive health: recently was it revealed that the “emergency” pill – a form of post-coital birth control available without prescription in over ninety countries – had finally been approved for over the counter use in Japan.

Differing Reactions to the Historic Leadership

Nonetheless, certain individuals view Takaichi's ascent as a pivotal moment that could alter how females view their prospects.

“There is great significance in the new prime minister becoming prime minister, with a wider influence on the public,” Naomi Koshi – who became the nation's youngest female city leader in 2012 – told local media.

She contended Japan having a woman prime minister will “lower psychological barriers” for women and girls, enabling them to believe it is acceptable to “excel” as authorities in businesses and the community, despite biased expectations and norms still persist.

But a 20-year-old notes that, while it is notable 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 challenging the norm. She expresses the same thing as the men.”

The young woman adds that she ought not be placed on a platform just due to the fact she is a woman.

“It is essential to make sure we're discussing her agenda. We must be capable of evaluate her fairly as all other leaders.”

Ideological Context and Associations

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

Additionally, it is evident by who her supporters within the LDP have were.

She was mentored of the deceased former conservative prime minister a previous leader, and was backed in the party vote by Taro Aso – a prominent member in the ruling party at the head of one of the ruling party's most powerful conservative blocs.

His faction's support for Sanae Takaichi was pivotal in uniting the conservative wing in her favor.

“I believe that it is challenging for females to somewhat identify with her achievement because it furthers this idea that we must be obedient with the status quo,” 21-year-old a citizen remarks.

The 21-year-old agrees, saying that with her as a figurehead 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 ideals that they hold, and it might make our job harder.”

Upcoming Obstacles and Expectations

Achieving this milestone, however, was only the initial of the difficulties Takaichi will face – not least tackling a slow growth and inflation and winning back the confidence of a discontented and angry electorate, as well as hosting the US leader within days of assuming office.

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