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

It means a patriarchal society and a political system that has long been dominated by men is now led 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 fascinating to see how individuals beyond Japan's borders have responded to the news,” a 21-year-old says.

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

“I think that's a very naive interpretation.”

Instead, Ms Ogura highlights her “ideological stance and what she stands for,” adding: “She perpetuates the male-dominated structure.”

A big fan of Margaret Thatcher, Sanae Takaichi has long aspired to be the “Iron Lady” of her nation.

Similar to Thatcher, Takaichi is a staunch conservative.

Observers say her ascension is a tactical move from the ruling LDP to attract the increasingly right-leaning base which had recently gravitated towards Japan's parties further to the right.

The leader is against marriage equality and has consistently voted against laws that would permit spouses to have different last names, blocking many women from keeping their birth surnames.

She's also against females being in line for succession in the imperial family.

Nonetheless, she did soften certain her messaging during her election bid – stating she favours giving financial benefits to companies that offer daycare services to their employees and spoke of possible tax breaks for families spending on child-rearing.

Yet she has historically backed the idea of a more traditional role for females in the community and in the family.

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

Japan's Inequality in Perspective

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

Based on the 2025 equality ranking by the global organization, Japan placed 118th among nearly 150 countries, with women's presence in the political arena particularly minimal.

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

The globally fourth biggest economy ranks at the bottom among the Group of Seven nations when it comes to the percentage of females in its national parliament. Specifically, women constitute about less than 16% of lawmakers in Japan, the smallest proportion among the G7.

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 finally been approved for over the counter use in Japan.

Mixed Responses to the Landmark Leadership

Nonetheless, some see Takaichi's rise to power as a pivotal moment that could change how women perceive their opportunities.

“There is great significance in Ms Takaichi becoming prime minister, with a broader impact on society,” a former mayor – who was elected as the nation's youngest female city leader in 2012 – informed local media.

Koshi argued Japan having a female prime minister will “lower psychological barriers” for females of all ages, enabling them to believe it is acceptable to “excel” as authorities in businesses and the community, despite biased expectations and norms still persist.

However a 20-year-old points out that, while it is remarkable Japan has its inaugural woman prime minister, it is important to recall it took her more than 30 years to get to that office.

“She's also not truly challenging the grain. She's saying the same thing as the men.”

Ms Hill-Uekawa further states that she ought not be placed on a pedestal just due to the fact she is a woman.

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

Political Context and Associations

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

Additionally, it is apparent by who her supporters inside the party have were.

She was mentored of the deceased ex- conservative prime minister Shinzo Abe, and was backed in the party vote by a senior politician – a senior figure in the ruling party at the leadership of one of the government's most influential right-wing factions.

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

“I do feel that it is difficult for females to somewhat identify with her achievement because it promotes this notion that we have to be obedient with the existing system,” young adult a citizen says.

The 21-year-old concurs, stating that with her as a figurehead for women in government, “people are going to expect the identical from us as too”.

“They're going to expect us to be conforming, not go against the ideals that they have, and it could render our role more difficult.”

Future Challenges and Anticipations

Achieving this milestone, however, was only the initial of the challenges Takaichi will encounter – including tackling a slow growth and inflation and regaining the confidence of a frustrated and angry electorate, as in addition to hosting president Trump within days of assuming office.

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