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For many female youth in Japan currently, the sight of Sanae Takaichi assuming leadership as the nation's first ever woman prime minister is powerful and influential.

This signifies a patriarchal society and a political system that has historically been controlled by men is currently headed by a woman.

However, although the optics speak of a progressive moment, some women do not view her as an advocate for change.

“It was quite interesting to observe how people beyond Japan's borders have reacted to the news,” 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 equal rights in Japan’.

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

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

A big fan of Margaret Thatcher, Sanae Takaichi has long aspired to be the “Steel Magnolia” of her country.

And like Thatcher, Takaichi is a staunch right-wing politician.

Analysts note her ascension is a strategic decision from the ruling LDP to appeal to the increasingly right-leaning base which had lately shifted towards Japan's more extreme conservative groups.

The leader is against marriage equality and has consistently voted against legislation that would allow married couples to have separate surnames, preventing many women from retaining their maiden names.

She's also opposed to females being in line for succession in the royal household.

Nonetheless, she moderated certain her messaging during her campaign – saying she supports giving tax incentives to companies that offer daycare services to their staff and mentioned possible deductions for families investing in childcare.

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

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

The Country's Gender Gap in Context

Japanese women are some of the most highly educated and highest qualified in the globe and yet they face challenges with the expectations of a traditional culture that still pushes them into conventional positions.

Based on the 2025 gender gap index by the global organization, Japan ranked 118th out of among 148 nations, with female representation in the field of politics notably low.

Leadership positions have traditionally been dominated by males and Japan has struggled to increase the quantity of female lawmakers and corporate executives.

The globally fourth biggest economic power ranks at the bottom among the G7 countries when it comes to the percentage of females in its legislative body. Specifically, women make up about 15.7% of legislators in Japan, the lowest figure among the G7.

It is even slow when it comes to female healthcare: recently was it revealed that the “emergency” pill – a type of emergency contraception sold over the counter in more than 90 countries – had finally been approved for over the counter use in Japan.

Differing Reactions to the Historic Appointment

Even so, some see Takaichi's ascent as a critical juncture that could change how females view their prospects.

“It is highly meaningful in Ms Takaichi becoming prime minister, with a wider influence on society,” a former mayor – who was elected as the nation's most youthful woman city leader in 2012 – informed local media.

She contended Japan having a female prime minister will “reduce mental obstacles” for women and girls, enabling them to believe it is acceptable to “stand out” as authorities in businesses and the community, even as gender-based stereotypes and norms still remain.

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

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

The young woman adds that she ought not be placed on a platform just due to the fact she is a woman.

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

Political Context and Influences

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

Additionally, it is evident by who her supporters within the LDP have been.

She was mentored of the late ex- hawkish prime minister a previous leader, and was backed in the party vote by Taro Aso – a prominent member in the ruling party at the head of one of the ruling party's most influential conservative blocs.

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

“I believe that it is difficult for women to somewhat identify with her achievement because it furthers this notion that we have to be compliant with the status quo,” young adult a citizen says.

The 21-year-old concurs, saying that with her as a figurehead for women in politics, “people are going to expect the identical from women as too”.

“They're going to expect women to be conforming, not go against the beliefs that they have, and it might make our job harder.”

Future Obstacles and Expectations

Achieving this milestone, though, was only the initial of the difficulties Takaichi will encounter – not least addressing a slow growth and rising prices and winning back the trust of a discontented and angry voting public, as in addition to hosting president Trump within a short time of assuming office.

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