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To numerous young girls in Japan today, the image of Sanae Takaichi assuming leadership as the country's inaugural woman prime minister is impactful and formative.

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

But while the optics speak of a forward-thinking era, some women don't see her as an champion of progress.

“It was quite fascinating to observe how people beyond Japan's borders have responded to the announcement,” 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 women empowerment and gender equality in Japan’.

“I think that's a rather simplistic view.”

Conversely, the young woman highlights her “ideological stance and what she stands for,” noting: “She reinforces the patriarchal system.”

A strong admirer of Margaret Thatcher, 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 tactical move from the governing LDP to appeal to the increasingly right-leaning base which had recently gravitated towards Japan's parties further to the right.

Takaichi opposes same-sex marriage and has consistently voted against legislation that would allow married couples to have separate surnames, blocking many females from retaining their maiden names.

Additionally, she is against females being in line for succession in the royal household.

Nonetheless, she did soften certain her statements during her campaign – saying she favours giving financial benefits to companies that provide childcare facilities to their staff and mentioned possible deductions for families investing in child-rearing.

But she has historically supported the notion of a conventional role for females in society and in the home.

Regarding gender matters, Takaichi is aligned with her nation's subpar performance on equality concerns.

The Country's Inequality in Context

Japanese women are some of the most highly educated and most skilled in the globe and yet they face challenges with the demands of a traditional culture that still directs them into conventional positions.

Based on the 2025 equality ranking by the World Economic Forum, Japan ranked 118th among nearly 150 nations, with women's presence in the political arena notably low.

Top roles have historically been held by men and Japan has struggled to boost the quantity of women legislators and corporate executives.

The globally fourth biggest economic power places last among the Group of Seven nations when it comes to the share of females in its national parliament. In detail, females constitute about less than 16% of legislators in Japan, the smallest proportion among the G7.

It is even slow when it comes to women's reproductive health: recently was it announced that the “emergency” pill – a type of emergency contraception available without prescription in more than 90 countries – had finally been approved for non-prescription sales in Japan.

Mixed Reactions to the Historic Leadership

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

“There is great significance in the new prime minister assuming the role of prime minister, with a broader impact on the public,” Naomi Koshi – who became the nation's youngest female city leader in 2012 – informed Japan's Kyodo news agency.

She contended Japan electing a woman prime minister will “reduce mental obstacles” for women and girls, helping them feel it is acceptable to “excel” as leaders in businesses and the community, despite gender-based stereotypes and norms still remain.

However a 20-year-old notes that, while it is notable Japan has its inaugural woman leader, one must remember it required her over three decades to get to that office.

“She's also not truly going against the norm. She expresses the identical views as the male politicians.”

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

“We need to make sure we're discussing her agenda. We must be capable of criticise her equally as everyone else.”

Ideological 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 champions within the LDP have been.

She's the protégé of the deceased former hawkish prime minister a previous leader, and was endorsed in the party vote by Taro Aso – a prominent member in the LDP at the leadership of one of the ruling party's most influential right-wing factions.

His faction's support for Sanae Takaichi was crucial in consolidating the party's right wing behind her.

“I do feel that it is challenging for females to sort of identify with her success because it promotes this idea that we must be compliant with the status quo,” young adult a citizen remarks.

The 21-year-old agrees, saying that with her as a symbol for females in politics, “the public are going to expect the identical from women as well”.

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

Future Challenges and Anticipations

Achieving this milestone, though, was just the first of the difficulties Takaichi will face – including addressing a slow growth and inflation and regaining the trust of a discontented and irate electorate, as well as hosting the US leader within days of taking power.

It's safe to say that few anticipate gender equality issues to be a top priority on her priority list.