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

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

However, although the appearances suggest a forward-thinking era, some women don't see her as an advocate for change.

“It was quite fascinating to observe how people outside Japan have reacted to the news,” Ayda Ogura says.

People are saying, ‘wow, she's the inaugural woman prime minister in Japanese history and that would be a significant chance for female advancement and equal rights in Japan’.

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

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

A strong admirer of Britain's first female prime minister, Sanae Takaichi has always wanted to be the “Steel Magnolia” of her nation.

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

Analysts note her leadership is a tactical move from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party to attract the increasingly right-leaning supporters which had recently gravitated towards Japan's more extreme conservative groups.

The leader is against marriage equality and has long stood against laws that would allow spouses to have separate surnames, preventing many females from keeping their birth surnames.

Additionally, she is against females being in eligible for the throne in the royal household.

However, she moderated some of her messaging during her election bid – saying she favours giving financial benefits to companies that provide childcare facilities to their staff and mentioned potential deductions for families spending on childcare.

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

When it comes to women's issues, Takaichi is aligned with her country's less than impressive record on equality concerns.

The Country's Gender Gap in Context

Japanese women are among the most highly educated and most skilled in the world and yet they face challenges with the demands of a conservative society that still directs them into traditional roles.

According to the 2025 gender gap index by the World Economic Forum, Japan ranked 118th among 148 nations, with women's presence in the field of politics notably low.

Top roles have traditionally been dominated by males and Japan has faced difficulties to boost the quantity of female lawmakers and business leaders.

The globally fourth biggest economy ranks last among the Group of Seven nations when it comes to the percentage of females in its national parliament. Specifically, women constitute about 15.7% of lawmakers in Japan, the smallest proportion among the G7.

It is even slow when it comes to women's reproductive health: only this week was it revealed that the “emergency” pill – a form of emergency contraception available without prescription in more than 90 nations – had at last been authorized for non-prescription sales in Japan.

Mixed Reactions to the Landmark Appointment

Even so, certain individuals view Takaichi's ascent as a critical juncture that could alter how women view their opportunities.

“It is highly meaningful in Ms Takaichi assuming the role of prime minister, with a wider influence on the public,” 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 woman prime minister will “reduce psychological barriers” for women and girls, enabling them to believe it is acceptable to “excel” as authorities in companies and the community, despite gender-based stereotypes and expectations still persist.

But a 20-year-old 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 get to that position.

“She's also not truly challenging the grain. She's saying the same thing as the men.”

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

“We need to make sure we're talking about her policies. We must be able to evaluate her fairly as all other leaders.”

Political Context and Influences

It is not only 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 were.

She was mentored of the late ex- conservative prime minister a previous leader, and was backed in the leadership election by a senior politician – a prominent member in the ruling party at the head of one of the government's most influential conservative blocs.

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

“I do feel that it is challenging for women to somewhat identify with her achievement because it furthers this notion that we must be obedient with the existing system,” 21-year-old a citizen says.

The 21-year-old concurs, stating that with her as a figurehead for females in politics, “the public are likely to anticipate the same from us 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 Challenges and Anticipations

Making history, though, was just the first of the challenges Takaichi will encounter – including tackling a slow growth and rising prices and winning back the confidence of a discontented and irate electorate, as in addition to hosting the US leader within a short time of taking power.

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