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To numerous female youth in Japan today, the sight of Sanae Takaichi taking the helm as the country's inaugural woman prime minister is impactful and influential.

This signifies a male-oriented culture and a political system that has long been dominated by men is now led by a female.

But while the appearances suggest a progressive moment, some women don't see her as an advocate for change.

“It was quite fascinating to observe how people beyond Japan's borders have responded to the announcement,” Ayda Ogura states.

People are saying, ‘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’.

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

Instead, Ms Ogura highlights 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 “Iron Lady” of her country.

Similar to Thatcher, Takaichi is a firm conservative.

Analysts note her leadership is a tactical move from the ruling 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 long stood against laws that would permit married couples to have separate surnames, blocking many women from keeping their birth surnames.

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

However, she did soften certain her statements during her election bid – saying she supports giving financial benefits to companies that offer childcare facilities to their employees and spoke of potential deductions for households investing in child-rearing.

Yet she has historically backed the idea of a conventional position for females in the community and in the home.

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

Japan's Inequality in Context

Women in Japan are some of the most highly educated and most skilled 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 gender gap index by the World Economic Forum, Japan ranked 118th out of among nearly 150 nations, with female representation in the field of politics particularly minimal.

Leadership positions have historically been held by males and Japan has faced difficulties to boost the number of female lawmakers and business leaders.

The globally fourth biggest economy places last among the Group of Seven nations when it comes to the percentage of females in its legislative body. 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 female healthcare: recently was it revealed that the “emergency” pill – a type of emergency contraception available without prescription in over ninety nations – had at last been authorized for non-prescription sales in Japan.

Mixed Reactions to the Landmark Appointment

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

“It is highly meaningful in Ms Takaichi assuming the role of prime minister, with a broader impact on society,” Naomi Koshi – who was elected as the nation's most youthful woman city leader in 2012 – told Japan's Kyodo news agency.

Koshi argued Japan electing a female prime minister will “lower mental obstacles” for females of all ages, helping them feel it is acceptable to “excel” as leaders in companies and society, despite biased expectations and norms still persist.

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

“Additionally, she is not really going against the norm. She expresses the identical views as the men.”

Ms Hill-Uekawa adds that she ought not be placed on a platform simply because she is a female.

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

Ideological Background 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.

It's also evident by which individuals her champions within the LDP have been.

She was mentored of the late former conservative prime minister Shinzo Abe, and was backed in the leadership election by Taro Aso – a senior figure in the LDP at the leadership of one of the ruling party's most influential conservative blocs.

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

“I do feel that it is difficult for women to sort of relate to her achievement because it furthers this idea that we have to be compliant with the status quo,” 21-year-old Minori Konishi remarks.

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

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

Upcoming Obstacles and Expectations

Making history, though, was just the first of the difficulties Takaichi will face – not least addressing a slow growth and inflation and regaining the trust of a discontented and angry voting public, as in addition to welcoming the US leader within a short time of taking power.

One can reasonably assume that few anticipate gender equality issues to be a top priority on her agenda.