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To numerous female youth in Japan currently, the sight of Sanae Takaichi assuming leadership as the nation's inaugural female leader is impactful and influential.

It means a male-oriented culture and a political system that has historically been controlled by men is currently headed by a woman.

But while the appearances speak of a forward-thinking era, certain females do not view her as an champion of progress.

“It was quite fascinating to observe how individuals beyond Japan's borders have reacted to the news,” Ayda Ogura says.

“Everyone's like, ‘wow, she's the first female prime minister in the nation's past 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 “ideological stance and what she stands for,” noting: “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 nation.

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

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

The leader is against marriage equality and has long stood against legislation that would allow married couples to have separate surnames, preventing 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 messaging during her election bid – stating she supports giving financial benefits to companies that provide daycare services to their staff and spoke of possible deductions for families investing in child-rearing.

Yet she has over the years supported the idea of a conventional position for females in society and in the family.

Regarding women's issues, Takaichi is consistent with her country's subpar record on equality concerns.

Japan's Inequality in Context

Japanese women are some of the most highly educated and highest qualified in the world and yet they struggle with the demands of a traditional culture that still directs them into traditional roles.

Based on the 2025 gender gap index by the global organization, Japan placed 118th out of among nearly 150 nations, with female representation in the field of politics notably low.

Leadership positions have historically been held by men and Japan has struggled to increase the number of female lawmakers and business leaders.

The globally fourth biggest economic power places at the bottom among the G7 countries when it comes to the share of women in its national parliament. In detail, women make up about 15.7% of lawmakers in Japan, the lowest figure among the seven major economies.

Progress is also sluggish when it comes to female healthcare: recently was it announced that the “morning after” pill – a type of post-coital birth control available without prescription in more than 90 countries – had at last been authorized for over the counter use in Japan.

Mixed Responses to the Landmark Leadership

Even so, certain individuals view Takaichi's rise to power as a pivotal moment that could alter how women view their opportunities.

“There is great significance in Ms Takaichi assuming the role of prime minister, with a broader impact on the public,” Naomi Koshi – who was elected as the nation's most youthful woman city leader in 2012 – informed Japan's Kyodo news agency.

She contended Japan having a woman prime minister will “reduce mental obstacles” for females of all ages, enabling them to believe it is acceptable to “excel” as authorities in companies and the community, despite gender-based stereotypes and expectations still persist.

But Audrey Hill-Uekawa points out that, while it is notable Japan has its first female prime minister, it is important to recall it required her over three decades to get to that position.

“Additionally, she is not really going against the norm. She expresses the same thing as the male politicians.”

Ms Hill-Uekawa adds that she ought not be placed on a platform just due to the fact she is a female.

“It is essential to make sure we're talking about her agenda. We need to be capable of criticise her fairly as all other leaders.”

Ideological Background and Associations

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

It's also evident by who her supporters within the LDP have been.

She's the protégé of the deceased former hawkish prime minister Shinzo Abe, and was backed in the leadership election by a senior politician – a prominent member in the LDP at the head of one of the government's most powerful conservative blocs.

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

“I do feel that it is difficult for females to sort of relate to her success because it promotes this idea that we must 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 us as well”.

“They will demand us to be conforming, not oppose the beliefs that they hold, and it could render our role harder.”

Upcoming Obstacles and Expectations

Making history, though, was only the initial of the challenges Takaichi will encounter – including tackling a sluggish economy and inflation and winning back the confidence of a discontented and irate electorate, as well as hosting the US leader within days of taking power.

It's safe to say that no-one expects women's rights matters to be high on her agenda.