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For many young girls in Japan today, the sight of Sanae Takaichi taking the helm as the nation's first ever woman leader is powerful and influential.

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

But while the appearances speak of a progressive moment, certain females don't see her as an champion of progress.

It was rather fascinating to see how individuals outside Japan have responded to the announcement,” a 21-year-old states.

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

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

Instead, the young woman points to her “political beliefs and what she stands for,” adding: “She perpetuates the patriarchal system.”

A big fan of Britain's first female prime minister, Sanae Takaichi has always wanted to be the “Iron Lady” of her country.

And like Thatcher, Takaichi is a firm conservative.

Analysts note her leadership is a strategic decision from the governing Liberal Democratic Party to appeal to the more conservative base which had lately shifted towards Japan's parties further to the right.

The leader is against same-sex marriage and has long stood against laws that would permit married couples to have different last names, preventing many women from retaining their birth surnames.

She's also opposed to women being in eligible for the throne in the imperial family.

Nonetheless, she moderated some of her statements during her campaign – stating she favours giving tax incentives to businesses that offer childcare facilities to their staff and spoke of possible deductions for families investing in childcare.

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

When it comes to gender matters, Takaichi is consistent with her country's subpar record on equality concerns.

The Country's Inequality in Context

Women in Japan are among the most highly educated and most skilled in the world and yet they struggle with the demands of a conservative society that still directs them into conventional positions.

According to the 2025 gender gap index by the World Economic Forum, Japan placed 118th among nearly 150 countries, with female representation in the political arena notably low.

Top roles have traditionally been dominated by men and Japan has faced difficulties to increase the number of female lawmakers and business leaders.

The world's fourth largest economic power places last among the Group of Seven nations when it comes to the share of women in its legislative body. In detail, females make up about 15.7% of lawmakers in Japan, the smallest proportion among the G7.

It is even slow when it comes to women's reproductive health: recently was it revealed that the “morning after” pill – a type of emergency contraception available without prescription in over ninety nations – had at last been authorized for non-prescription sales in Japan.

Mixed Reactions to the Historic Appointment

Nonetheless, some see Takaichi's ascent as a critical juncture that could change how females view their opportunities.

“It is highly meaningful in the new prime minister assuming the role of prime minister, with a broader impact on the public,” Naomi Koshi – who became the country's most youthful woman city leader in 2012 – told Japan's Kyodo news agency.

She contended Japan having a female prime minister will “lower mental obstacles” for women and girls, helping them feel it is acceptable to “excel” as leaders in companies and the community, even as gender-based stereotypes and norms still remain.

However Audrey Hill-Uekawa notes that, while it is remarkable Japan has its inaugural woman leader, one must remember it took her over three decades to reach that office.

“Additionally, she is not really going against 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 female.

“We need to make sure we're talking about her policies. We must be able to criticise her fairly as all other leaders.”

Ideological Background and Associations

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

Additionally, it is apparent by who her champions within the LDP have been.

She was mentored of the late former hawkish prime minister Shinzo Abe, and was backed in the leadership election by Taro Aso – a senior figure in the ruling party at the head of one of the ruling party's most powerful right-wing factions.

His faction's support for Sanae Takaichi was crucial in uniting the party's right wing in her favor.

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

The 21-year-old agrees, saying that with her as a symbol for women in government, “the public are going to expect the identical from us as too”.

“They will demand women to be compliant, not go against the beliefs that they have, and it might make our job more difficult.”

Future Obstacles and Expectations

Making history, though, was just the first of the difficulties Takaichi will face – including addressing a sluggish economy and rising prices and regaining the confidence of a discontented and angry voting public, as in addition to hosting the US leader within days of taking power.

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