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To numerous female youth in Japan today, the image of Sanae Takaichi assuming leadership as the nation's inaugural woman leader is powerful and formative.

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

But while the optics suggest a progressive moment, some women do not view her as an advocate for change.

It was rather interesting to observe how individuals beyond Japan's borders have responded to the news,” a 21-year-old says.

People are saying, ‘wow, she's the first female prime minister in Japanese history and that would be a great opportunity for women empowerment and equal rights in Japan’.

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

Instead, the young woman 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.

Similar to Thatcher, Takaichi is a firm conservative.

Observers say her leadership is a tactical move from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party to appeal to the more conservative base which had lately shifted towards Japan's more extreme conservative groups.

The leader is against marriage equality and has long stood against legislation that would permit married couples to have separate surnames, blocking many females from retaining their maiden names.

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

Nonetheless, she did soften some of her messaging during her election bid – stating she favours giving financial benefits to companies that offer childcare facilities to their employees and spoke of potential deductions for households spending on child-rearing.

Yet she has historically backed the notion of a more traditional position for women in society and in the family.

Regarding gender matters, Takaichi is consistent with her country's subpar record on gender issues.

Japan's Inequality in Perspective

Japanese women are among the best educated and most skilled in the globe and yet they struggle with the demands of a traditional culture that still pushes them into traditional roles.

Based on the 2025 gender gap index by the global organization, Japan ranked 118th among 148 countries, with women's presence in the political arena notably low.

Top roles have historically been held by men and Japan has faced difficulties to boost the quantity of female lawmakers and corporate executives.

The globally fourth biggest economic power places last among the G7 countries when it comes to the share of females in its legislative body. Specifically, females constitute about less than 16% of legislators in Japan, the smallest proportion among the G7.

It is even slow when it comes to female healthcare: only this week was it revealed that the “morning after” pill – a form of emergency contraception sold over the counter in over ninety nations – had at last been authorized for over the counter use in Japan.

Differing Responses to the Historic Appointment

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

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

She contended Japan having a woman prime minister will “reduce psychological barriers” for women and girls, helping them feel it is acceptable to “excel” as authorities in companies and the community, even as biased expectations and norms still persist.

However a 20-year-old notes that, while it is remarkable 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 challenging the norm. She expresses the identical views as the men.”

The young woman further states that she ought not be placed on a pedestal simply because she is a female.

“We need to ensure we're talking about her agenda. We must be capable of criticise her fairly as everyone else.”

Ideological Context and Associations

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

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

She's the protégé of the late ex- conservative prime minister Shinzo Abe, and was endorsed in the leadership election by a senior politician – a prominent member in the LDP at the head of one of the ruling party's most influential right-wing factions.

Their group's support for Sanae Takaichi was pivotal in consolidating the conservative wing in her favor.

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

Ms Ogura concurs, saying that with her as a symbol for females in government, “people are going to expect the same from women as well”.

“They're going to expect us to be compliant, not oppose the ideals that they hold, and it could render our job harder.”

Future Obstacles and Expectations

Making history, though, was just the first of the challenges Takaichi will encounter – not least tackling a slow growth and rising prices and regaining the confidence of a frustrated and angry voting public, as well as welcoming the US leader within days of taking power.

It's safe to say that no-one expects gender equality issues to be a top priority on her priority list.