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For many female youth in Japan currently, the image of Sanae Takaichi assuming leadership as the country's first ever female leader is impactful and formative.

This signifies a male-oriented culture and a political system that has long been dominated by men is currently headed by a female.

However, although the appearances speak of a forward-thinking era, some women do not view her as an advocate for change.

“It was quite fascinating to observe how individuals outside Japan have responded to the news,” a 21-year-old states.

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 rather simplistic view.”

Conversely, Ms Ogura points to her “ideological stance and what she represents,” adding: “She perpetuates the patriarchal system.”

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

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

Observers say her ascension is a strategic decision from the governing LDP to attract the more conservative base which had lately shifted towards Japan's parties further to the right.

Takaichi opposes same-sex marriage and has consistently voted against laws that would allow spouses to have separate surnames, preventing many women from retaining their birth surnames.

She's also against women being in line for succession in the royal household.

Nonetheless, she moderated some of her statements during her election bid – saying she supports giving tax incentives to businesses that offer daycare services to their staff and spoke of possible tax breaks for households spending on childcare.

But she has over the years supported the notion of a more traditional role for women in society and in the family.

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

The Country's Inequality in Context

Japanese women are among the most highly educated and most skilled in the globe and yet they face challenges with the demands of a traditional culture that still pushes them into traditional roles.

According to the 2025 equality ranking by the World Economic Forum, Japan placed 118th out of among 148 nations, with female representation in the field of politics notably low.

Top roles have traditionally been dominated by men and Japan has struggled to boost the number of women legislators and business leaders.

The world's fourth largest economy ranks at the bottom among the Group of Seven nations when it comes to the share of women in its national parliament. In detail, women make up about less than 16% of lawmakers in Japan, the lowest figure among the G7.

Progress is also sluggish when it comes to women's reproductive health: only this week was it revealed that the “emergency” pill – a form of emergency contraception sold over the counter in over ninety countries – had finally been approved for over the counter use in Japan.

Mixed Reactions to the Landmark Leadership

Nonetheless, certain individuals view Takaichi's ascent 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 nation's youngest female mayor in 2012 – told local media.

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

But Audrey Hill-Uekawa points out that, while it is remarkable Japan has its inaugural woman leader, it is important to recall it required her more than 30 years to get to that position.

“She's also not really challenging the norm. She's saying the same thing as the male politicians.”

The young woman adds that she ought not be placed on a platform simply because she is a female.

“We need to make sure we're talking about her agenda. We must be capable of criticise her equally as all other leaders.”

Ideological Context and Influences

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

It's also apparent by which individuals her supporters within the LDP have been.

She was mentored of the late former hawkish prime minister Shinzo Abe, and was endorsed in the leadership election by a senior politician – a senior figure in the ruling party at the head of one of the ruling party's most influential conservative blocs.

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 sort of identify with her success because it promotes this idea that we must be compliant with the existing system,” 21-year-old Minori Konishi says.

Ms Ogura agrees, stating that with her as a figurehead for women in politics, “the public are going to expect the same from us as too”.

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

Upcoming Obstacles and Expectations

Making history, though, was just the first of the difficulties Takaichi will face – including tackling a slow growth and rising prices and winning back the confidence of a discontented and irate voting public, as well as welcoming the US leader within a short time of taking power.

It's safe to say that no-one expects gender equality issues to be a top priority on her priority list.