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

It means a patriarchal society and a political system that has long been dominated by men is now led by a female.

However, although the appearances speak of a forward-thinking era, some women don't see her as an champion of progress.

“It was quite interesting to see how people beyond Japan's borders have reacted to the announcement,” Ayda Ogura says.

“Everyone's like, ‘wow, she's the inaugural woman prime minister in Japanese history and that would be a great opportunity for women empowerment and equal rights in Japan’.

In my opinion that's a rather simplistic interpretation.”

Conversely, the young woman points to her “ideological stance and what she represents,” noting: “She reinforces the patriarchal system.”

A strong admirer of Margaret Thatcher, Sanae Takaichi has always wanted to be the “Steel Magnolia” of her nation.

Similar to Thatcher, Takaichi is a staunch conservative.

Analysts note her leadership is a tactical move from the governing LDP to appeal to the more conservative supporters which had recently gravitated towards Japan's more extreme conservative groups.

Takaichi opposes marriage equality and has long stood against legislation that would permit spouses to have different last names, preventing many women from retaining their birth surnames.

She's also against women being in eligible for the throne in the imperial family.

However, she did soften some of her messaging during her election bid – stating she favours giving financial benefits to businesses that provide childcare facilities to their staff and spoke of possible tax breaks for households investing in child-rearing.

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

When it comes to women's issues, Takaichi is aligned with her country's less than impressive record on gender issues.

Japan's Gender Gap in Context

Japanese women are among the best educated and highest qualified 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 ranked 118th among 148 nations, with female representation in the political arena particularly minimal.

Top roles have historically been held by males and Japan has struggled to boost the number of female lawmakers and corporate executives.

The world's fourth largest economy places last among the Group of Seven nations when it comes to the percentage of females in its national parliament. In detail, females constitute about less than 16% of lawmakers in Japan, the smallest proportion among the seven major economies.

Progress is also sluggish when it comes to female healthcare: only this week was it revealed that the “emergency” pill – a form of emergency contraception sold over the counter in over ninety countries – had at last been authorized for over the counter use in Japan.

Differing Reactions to the Historic Appointment

Even so, some see Takaichi's rise to power as a critical juncture that could alter how women perceive their opportunities.

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

Koshi argued Japan having a female prime minister will “lower mental obstacles” for females of all ages, enabling them to believe it is acceptable to “excel” as authorities in businesses and the community, despite gender-based stereotypes and norms still remain.

But Audrey Hill-Uekawa notes that, while it is remarkable Japan has its first female leader, it is important to recall it took her more than 30 years to get to that office.

“She's also not really going against the norm. She's saying the identical views as the men.”

The young woman further states that she shouldn't be put on a platform simply because she is a woman.

“We need to ensure we're discussing her policies. We must be able to criticise her fairly as everyone else.”

Political Background and Influences

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

Additionally, it is evident by which individuals her champions within the LDP have been.

She's the protégé of the deceased ex- hawkish prime minister a previous leader, and was backed in the leadership election by a senior politician – a senior figure in the LDP at the head of one of the ruling party's most powerful right-wing factions.

His faction's support for Sanae Takaichi was pivotal in consolidating the party's right 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 a citizen says.

Ms Ogura agrees, stating that with her as a figurehead for women in government, “the public are likely to anticipate the identical from us as too”.

“They're going to expect women to be conforming, not oppose the ideals that they hold, and it could render our job more difficult.”

Upcoming Challenges and Expectations

Making history, though, was only the initial of the difficulties Takaichi will encounter – not least addressing a slow growth and rising prices and regaining the trust of a discontented and angry electorate, as well as hosting the US leader within a short time of assuming office.

It's safe to say that no-one expects women's rights matters to be a top priority on her priority list.