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To numerous female youth in Japan currently, the sight of Sanae Takaichi taking the helm as the nation's first ever woman leader is impactful and formative.

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

However, although the appearances suggest a progressive moment, certain females do not view her as an champion of progress.

It was rather interesting to observe how people beyond Japan's borders have responded to the news,” Ayda Ogura states.

People are saying, ‘wow, she's the first female prime minister in the nation's past and that would be a significant chance for women empowerment and gender equality in Japan’.

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

Conversely, Ms Ogura highlights her “political beliefs and what she stands for,” noting: “She perpetuates the male-dominated structure.”

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 right-wing politician.

Analysts note her ascension is a strategic decision from the governing Liberal Democratic Party to appeal to the more conservative supporters which had recently gravitated towards Japan's more extreme conservative groups.

The leader is against marriage equality and has consistently voted against laws that would permit married couples to have separate surnames, blocking many women from keeping their birth surnames.

She's also against females being in eligible for the throne in the royal household.

Nonetheless, she moderated certain her messaging during her campaign – saying she favours giving financial benefits to companies that offer daycare services to their employees and mentioned possible tax breaks for families investing in childcare.

But she has historically supported the idea of a conventional position for females in society and in the home.

Regarding gender matters, Takaichi is consistent with her nation's less than impressive performance on equality concerns.

Japan's Inequality in Context

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

Based on the 2025 gender gap index by the World Economic Forum, Japan placed 118th out of among 148 nations, with women's presence in the political arena notably low.

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

The globally fourth biggest economic power ranks at the bottom among the Group of Seven nations when it comes to the percentage of females in its national parliament. In detail, females make up about less than 16% of legislators in Japan, the smallest proportion among the seven major economies.

Progress is also sluggish when it comes to women's reproductive health: recently was it announced that the “emergency” pill – a type of post-coital birth control available without prescription in more than 90 countries – had finally been approved for non-prescription sales in Japan.

Differing Reactions to the Landmark Leadership

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

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

She contended Japan having a female prime minister will “reduce psychological barriers” for females of all ages, enabling them to believe it is normal to “stand out” as leaders in companies and the community, even as gender-based stereotypes and norms still persist.

But a 20-year-old points out that, while it is notable Japan has its first female leader, one must remember it required her over three decades to get to that position.

“Additionally, she is not really challenging the norm. She's saying the identical views as the men.”

Ms Hill-Uekawa further states that she ought not be placed on a pedestal just due to the fact she is a female.

“We need to make sure we're talking about her agenda. We need to be able to evaluate her equally as everyone else.”

Political Context and Associations

It is not only what Takaichi has stated 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 deceased ex- conservative prime minister Shinzo Abe, and was endorsed in the party vote by a senior politician – a senior figure in the LDP at the leadership of one of the government's most powerful right-wing factions.

His faction'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 promotes this idea that we have to be obedient with the status quo,” 21-year-old a citizen says.

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

“They're going to expect us to be conforming, not oppose the beliefs that they have, and it could render our role harder.”

Future Obstacles and Expectations

Making history, though, was only the initial of the challenges Takaichi will face – including addressing a slow growth and rising prices and regaining the confidence of a discontented and irate electorate, as well as welcoming the US leader within days of assuming office.

One can reasonably assume that few anticipate women's rights matters to be a top priority on her priority list.