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To numerous female youth in Japan today, the sight of Sanae Takaichi taking the helm as the nation's inaugural female leader is powerful and influential.

This signifies a patriarchal society and a political system that has long been dominated by men is now led by a female.

However, although the appearances suggest a progressive moment, certain females do not view her as an champion of progress.

“It was quite interesting to see how individuals beyond Japan's borders have reacted 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 female advancement and gender equality in Japan’.

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

Instead, Ms Ogura points to her “ideological stance and what she stands for,” adding: “She perpetuates the patriarchal system.”

A strong admirer of Margaret Thatcher, Sanae Takaichi has long aspired to be the “Iron Lady” of her country.

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

Observers say her leadership is a strategic decision from the governing Liberal Democratic Party to appeal to the increasingly right-leaning supporters which had lately shifted towards Japan's parties further to the right.

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

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

Nonetheless, she did soften some of her statements during her election bid – saying she supports giving tax incentives to companies that offer daycare services to their employees and mentioned possible tax breaks for households investing in childcare.

But she has historically supported the notion of a conventional role for women in society and in the home.

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

The Country's Inequality in Perspective

Japanese women are some of the most highly educated and most skilled in the globe and yet they face challenges 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 nearly 150 countries, with female representation in the political arena notably low.

Leadership positions have historically been held by males and Japan has faced difficulties to increase the number of women legislators and corporate executives.

The world's fourth largest economic power ranks last among the Group of Seven nations when it comes to the percentage of women in its legislative body. In detail, females constitute about less than 16% of lawmakers in Japan, the lowest figure among the seven major economies.

It is even slow when it comes to women's reproductive health: only this week was it announced that the “emergency” pill – a type of emergency contraception sold over the counter in over ninety countries – had at last been authorized for non-prescription sales in Japan.

Mixed Responses to the Landmark Appointment

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

“There is great significance in Ms Takaichi assuming the role of prime minister, with a broader impact on society,” Naomi Koshi – who became the country's youngest female mayor in 2012 – told local media.

She contended Japan having a female prime minister will “lower psychological barriers” for women and girls, helping them feel it is normal to “excel” as leaders in companies and society, despite gender-based stereotypes and expectations still remain.

However Audrey Hill-Uekawa points out that, while it is remarkable Japan has its inaugural woman leader, it is important to recall it required her over three decades to reach that position.

“She's also not really challenging the grain. She's saying the identical views as the men.”

The young woman adds that she ought not be placed on a platform simply because she is a woman.

“We need to make sure we're discussing her agenda. We need to be able to evaluate her equally as all other leaders.”

Political Background and Associations

It is not just what Takaichi has said 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 were.

She's the protégé of the deceased ex- conservative prime minister Shinzo Abe, and was backed in the leadership election by Taro Aso – a prominent member in the ruling party at the leadership of one of the ruling party's most powerful conservative blocs.

Their group's backing for Sanae Takaichi was crucial in uniting the conservative wing in her favor.

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

The 21-year-old concurs, stating that with her as a figurehead for women in politics, “the public are going to expect the same from women as well”.

“They're going to expect women to be compliant, not go against the beliefs that they have, and it might make our role more difficult.”

Upcoming Challenges and Expectations

Achieving this milestone, however, was only the initial of the challenges Takaichi will encounter – including addressing a sluggish economy and inflation and regaining the confidence of a discontented and irate electorate, as well as hosting president Trump within days of taking power.

One can reasonably assume that no-one expects women's rights matters to be a top priority on her priority list.