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

This signifies a patriarchal society and a political system that has long been dominated by men is currently headed by a woman.

However, although the appearances suggest a forward-thinking era, some women don't see her as an champion of progress.

“It was quite interesting to observe how people beyond Japan's borders have responded to the news,” Ayda Ogura says.

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 gender equality in Japan’.

In my opinion that's a very naive view.”

Conversely, the young woman points to her “ideological stance and what she stands for,” adding: “She reinforces the patriarchal system.”

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

And like Thatcher, Takaichi is a firm conservative.

Observers say her ascension is a strategic decision from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party to appeal to the more conservative supporters which had lately shifted towards Japan's more extreme conservative groups.

Takaichi opposes marriage equality and has long stood against laws that would permit spouses to have separate surnames, preventing many females from retaining their birth surnames.

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

However, she moderated some of her statements during her campaign – stating she favours 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 over the years backed the idea of a conventional position for women in society and in the home.

Regarding women's issues, Takaichi is aligned with her country's subpar performance on gender issues.

The Country's Inequality in Context

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

According to the 2025 gender gap index by the global organization, Japan placed 118th among 148 nations, with women's presence in the field of politics notably low.

Top roles have traditionally been dominated by men and Japan has struggled to boost the number of female lawmakers and corporate executives.

The world's fourth largest economy ranks last among the Group of Seven nations when it comes to the share of women in its legislative body. Specifically, females make up about less than 16% of lawmakers in Japan, the lowest figure among the G7.

Progress is also sluggish when it comes to female healthcare: only this week was it announced that the “morning after” pill – a form of post-coital birth control sold over the counter in more than 90 nations – had finally been approved for over the counter use in Japan.

Differing Responses to the Historic Appointment

Even so, certain individuals view Takaichi's rise to power as a critical juncture that could alter how females view 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 became the country's youngest female mayor in 2012 – told local media.

She contended Japan having a woman prime minister will “reduce mental obstacles” for females of all ages, enabling them to believe it is normal to “stand out” as leaders in businesses and the community, even as biased expectations and expectations still remain.

However Audrey Hill-Uekawa points out that, while it is remarkable Japan has its first female leader, one must remember it required her over three decades to reach that position.

“She's also not really challenging the norm. She expresses the identical views as the male politicians.”

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

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

Political Context and Influences

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 who her champions within the LDP have been.

She was mentored of the deceased ex- hawkish prime minister Shinzo Abe, and was backed in the leadership election by a senior politician – a senior figure in the LDP at the leadership of one of the ruling party's most influential conservative blocs.

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

“I believe that it is difficult for women to sort of identify with her success because it promotes this notion that we must be obedient with the existing system,” 21-year-old Minori Konishi remarks.

Ms Ogura concurs, stating that with her as a symbol for women in politics, “people are going to expect the identical from us as well”.

“They will demand us to be compliant, not oppose the ideals that they hold, and it might make our role harder.”

Future Obstacles and Expectations

Making history, however, was just the first of the challenges Takaichi will face – not least tackling a slow growth and rising prices and winning back the trust of a frustrated and angry electorate, as in addition to welcoming the US leader within a short time of assuming office.

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