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

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

However, although the appearances speak of a progressive moment, some women don't see her as an champion of progress.

It was rather fascinating to observe how people outside Japan have reacted to the announcement,” Ayda Ogura says.

People are saying, ‘wow, she's the inaugural woman prime minister in the nation's past and that would be a great opportunity for female advancement and gender equality in Japan’.

“I think that's a very naive view.”

Conversely, Ms Ogura points to her “political beliefs and what she represents,” noting: “She reinforces 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.

And like Thatcher, Takaichi is a firm conservative.

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

Takaichi opposes marriage equality and has consistently voted against legislation that would permit spouses to have separate surnames, blocking many women from retaining their maiden names.

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

Nonetheless, she did soften some of her statements during her campaign – saying she favours giving tax incentives to companies that offer childcare facilities to their staff and spoke of possible tax breaks for households spending on child-rearing.

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

Regarding gender matters, Takaichi is consistent with her nation's subpar performance on gender issues.

The Country's Gender Gap in Perspective

Japanese women are among the best educated and most skilled in the world and yet they struggle with the expectations of a conservative society that still pushes them into traditional roles.

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

Leadership positions have traditionally been dominated by males and Japan has struggled to boost the quantity of women legislators and business leaders.

The world's fourth largest economic power places at the bottom among the G7 countries when it comes to the percentage of women in its national parliament. In detail, women constitute about less than 16% of legislators in Japan, the smallest proportion among the seven major economies.

Progress is also sluggish when it comes to women's reproductive health: recently was it announced that the “emergency” pill – a form of emergency contraception sold over the counter in more than 90 nations – had at last been authorized for over the counter use in Japan.

Differing Responses to the Historic Leadership

Nonetheless, some see Takaichi's rise to power as a critical juncture that could change how females perceive their prospects.

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

She contended Japan having a female prime minister will “lower mental obstacles” for women and girls, enabling them to believe it is acceptable to “excel” as leaders in companies and society, even as gender-based stereotypes and expectations still persist.

However Audrey Hill-Uekawa notes that, while it is notable Japan has its inaugural woman leader, one must remember it required her more than 30 years to get to that position.

“Additionally, she is not truly going against the norm. She's saying the identical views as the male politicians.”

Ms Hill-Uekawa further states that she ought not be placed on a pedestal simply because she is a female.

“It is essential to make sure we're discussing her policies. We need to be able to evaluate her equally as everyone else.”

Political Context and Associations

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

Additionally, it is evident by which individuals her supporters inside the party have were.

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

Their group's backing for Sanae Takaichi was pivotal in uniting the party's right wing behind her.

“I do feel that it is difficult for women to somewhat identify with her success because it promotes this notion that we must be compliant with the status quo,” 21-year-old a citizen says.

Ms Ogura concurs, stating that with her as a symbol for females in government, “the public are likely to anticipate the same from women as well”.

“They will demand women to be compliant, not oppose the ideals that they hold, and it could render our role more difficult.”

Upcoming Challenges and Expectations

Achieving this milestone, though, was only the initial of the difficulties Takaichi will encounter – including tackling a slow growth and inflation and winning back the confidence of a frustrated and irate voting public, as in addition to welcoming president Trump within days of taking power.

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