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To numerous young girls in Japan currently, the sight of Sanae Takaichi taking the helm as the country's inaugural woman leader is powerful and influential.

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

But while the appearances speak of a forward-thinking era, certain females don't see her as an advocate for change.

“It was quite interesting to see how people outside Japan have reacted to the news,” Ayda Ogura states.

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 equal rights in Japan’.

In my opinion that's a very naive view.”

Conversely, Ms Ogura highlights her “ideological stance and what she stands for,” adding: “She perpetuates the patriarchal system.”

A big fan of Margaret Thatcher, Sanae Takaichi has always wanted to be the “Iron Lady” of her nation.

And like Thatcher, Takaichi is a staunch conservative.

Analysts note her ascension is a tactical move from the governing Liberal Democratic Party to attract the more conservative supporters which had recently gravitated towards Japan's parties further to the right.

The leader is against same-sex marriage and has long stood against laws that would permit spouses to have different last names, preventing many females from retaining their maiden names.

She's also opposed to women being in line for succession in the imperial family.

However, she did soften some of her messaging during her campaign – saying she favours giving tax incentives to companies that offer childcare facilities to their staff and spoke of potential tax breaks for households investing in childcare.

Yet she has historically backed the notion of a conventional role for women in the community and in the home.

When it comes to gender matters, Takaichi is consistent with her nation's subpar record on gender issues.

Japan's Gender Gap in Context

Women in Japan are among the best educated and highest qualified in the world and yet they struggle with the expectations of a traditional culture that still directs them into conventional positions.

According to the 2025 equality ranking by the World Economic Forum, Japan ranked 118th among nearly 150 nations, with female representation in the political arena particularly minimal.

Leadership positions have historically been held by men and Japan has faced difficulties to increase the number of female lawmakers and corporate executives.

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

It is even slow when it comes to women's reproductive health: only this week was it announced that the “emergency” pill – a form of post-coital birth control available without prescription in over ninety countries – had at last been authorized for non-prescription sales in Japan.

Differing Reactions to the Landmark Appointment

Nonetheless, certain individuals view Takaichi's rise to power as a pivotal moment that could alter how women perceive their prospects.

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

Koshi argued Japan having a female prime minister will “lower mental obstacles” for women and girls, helping them feel it is acceptable to “stand out” as authorities in companies and the community, even as biased expectations and expectations still persist.

But Audrey Hill-Uekawa notes that, while it is notable Japan has its first female prime minister, one must remember it required her over three decades to reach that office.

“Additionally, she is not truly going against the grain. She expresses the same thing as the men.”

The young woman further states that she ought not be placed on a pedestal just due to the fact she is a female.

“It is essential to ensure we're talking about her policies. We need to be able to evaluate her equally as all other leaders.”

Political Background and Associations

It is not just what Takaichi has stated which has caused individuals to describe her as a defender of the patriarchy.

Additionally, it is apparent by who her champions inside the party have were.

She's the protégé of the late ex- conservative prime minister a previous leader, and was backed in the leadership election by Taro Aso – a senior figure in the LDP at the head of one of the government's most powerful conservative blocs.

His faction's backing for Sanae Takaichi was pivotal in consolidating the party's right wing in her favor.

“I believe that it is difficult for women to sort of identify with her success because it promotes this idea that we must be obedient with the existing system,” young adult a citizen remarks.

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

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

Upcoming Challenges and Anticipations

Achieving this milestone, however, was just the first of the challenges Takaichi will face – not least addressing a slow growth and inflation and winning back the confidence of a discontented and angry electorate, as well as welcoming the US leader within days of taking power.

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