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For many female youth in Japan today, the image of Sanae Takaichi taking the helm as the nation's inaugural woman prime minister is powerful and formative.

This signifies a patriarchal society and a political system that has historically been controlled by men is now led by a woman.

However, although the optics suggest a forward-thinking era, some women do not view her as an champion of progress.

It was rather fascinating to observe how individuals outside Japan have reacted 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 great opportunity for female advancement and equal rights in Japan’.

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

Instead, Ms Ogura highlights her “political beliefs and what she stands for,” noting: “She perpetuates the male-dominated structure.”

A strong admirer of Britain's first female prime minister, Sanae Takaichi has always wanted to be the “Steel Magnolia” of her nation.

And like Thatcher, Takaichi is a staunch right-wing politician.

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

Takaichi opposes same-sex marriage and has long stood against laws that would allow spouses to have different last names, preventing many females from retaining their birth surnames.

She's also against women being in eligible for the throne in the royal household.

However, she moderated certain her statements during her campaign – saying she favours giving financial benefits to businesses that provide daycare services to their staff and mentioned possible deductions for families spending on child-rearing.

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

Regarding gender matters, Takaichi is consistent with her nation's less than impressive record on gender issues.

Japan's Inequality in Perspective

Women in Japan are some of the best educated and most skilled in the globe and yet they face challenges with the expectations of a conservative society that still pushes them into conventional positions.

Based on the 2025 gender gap index by the global organization, Japan placed 118th among nearly 150 countries, with women's presence in the field of politics notably low.

Top roles have historically been held by males and Japan has struggled to boost the quantity of women legislators and corporate executives.

The globally fourth biggest economy places at the bottom among the G7 countries when it comes to the share of women in its legislative body. Specifically, females constitute about 15.7% of lawmakers in Japan, the lowest figure among the seven major economies.

It is even slow when it comes to female healthcare: only this week was it announced that the “emergency” pill – a type of emergency contraception available without prescription in over ninety nations – had finally been approved for non-prescription sales in Japan.

Differing Reactions to the Historic Leadership

Even so, some see Takaichi's rise to power as a pivotal moment that could alter how females view their opportunities.

“It is highly meaningful in Ms Takaichi assuming the role of prime minister, with a wider influence on the public,” Naomi Koshi – who became the nation's youngest female city leader in 2012 – informed local media.

Koshi argued Japan electing a woman prime minister will “lower psychological barriers” for women and girls, helping them feel it is acceptable to “excel” as leaders in businesses and society, despite gender-based stereotypes and norms still persist.

But a 20-year-old points out that, while it is notable Japan has its first female prime minister, it is important to recall it required her more than 30 years to get to that office.

“She's also not truly going against the grain. She expresses the same thing as the men.”

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

“We need to ensure we're discussing her agenda. We need to be capable of criticise her fairly as everyone else.”

Political Context and Influences

It is not just what Takaichi has said which has caused individuals to describe her as a defender of the patriarchy.

Additionally, it is apparent by which individuals her champions within the LDP have were.

She's the protégé of the deceased ex- hawkish prime minister Shinzo Abe, and was backed in the party vote by Taro Aso – a senior figure in the ruling party at the leadership of one of the government's most powerful right-wing factions.

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

“I believe that it is difficult for females to somewhat relate to her success because it furthers this notion that we have to be obedient with the status quo,” 21-year-old Minori Konishi says.

The 21-year-old concurs, saying that with her as a symbol for women in politics, “people are going to expect the same from us as well”.

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

Upcoming Challenges and Anticipations

Making history, though, was just the first of the challenges Takaichi will face – including tackling a slow growth and inflation and winning back the trust of a discontented and irate voting public, as well as welcoming president Trump within a short time of assuming office.

One can reasonably assume that no-one expects gender equality issues to be high on her priority list.