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To numerous young girls 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 long been dominated by men is now led by a woman.

However, although the appearances suggest a forward-thinking era, certain females do not view her as an advocate for change.

“It was quite interesting to see how people beyond Japan's borders have responded to the announcement,” a 21-year-old states.

“Everyone's like, ‘wow, she's the inaugural woman prime minister in the nation's past and that would be a significant chance for women empowerment and gender equality in Japan’.

In my opinion that's a rather simplistic interpretation.”

Conversely, the young woman points to her “ideological stance and what she represents,” noting: “She reinforces the patriarchal system.”

A big fan of Margaret Thatcher, Sanae Takaichi has long aspired to be the “Steel Magnolia” of her country.

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

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

The leader is against same-sex marriage and has consistently voted against legislation that would allow married couples to have different last names, preventing many women from keeping their maiden names.

Additionally, she is against females being in line for succession in the royal household.

However, she moderated some of her statements during her campaign – saying she favours giving financial benefits to businesses that offer childcare facilities to their staff and spoke of possible tax breaks for families investing in childcare.

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

Regarding gender matters, Takaichi is aligned with her nation's subpar record on equality concerns.

Japan's Gender Gap in Context

Japanese women are some of the most highly educated and highest qualified in the world and yet they struggle with the demands of a conservative society that still pushes them into conventional positions.

According to the 2025 gender gap index by the global organization, Japan placed 118th out of among 148 countries, with female representation in the field of politics notably low.

Top roles have traditionally been dominated by males and Japan has struggled to boost the quantity of women legislators and business leaders.

The world's fourth largest economy ranks at the bottom among the G7 countries when it comes to the share of women in its legislative body. In detail, females constitute about less than 16% of legislators in Japan, the lowest figure among the G7.

It is even slow when it comes to women's reproductive health: recently was it revealed that the “emergency” pill – a form of emergency contraception sold over the counter in over ninety nations – had finally been approved for non-prescription sales in Japan.

Differing Reactions to the Historic Leadership

Nonetheless, some see Takaichi's ascent as a critical juncture that could alter how females view their prospects.

“It is highly meaningful in the new prime minister assuming the role of prime minister, with a wider influence on society,” a former mayor – who was elected as the country's most youthful woman city leader in 2012 – told local media.

She contended Japan having a female prime minister will “lower psychological barriers” for women and girls, enabling them to believe it is acceptable to “stand out” as leaders in businesses and the community, even as gender-based stereotypes and norms still remain.

But a 20-year-old points out that, while it is remarkable Japan has its first female prime minister, it is important to recall it took her over three decades to get to that office.

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

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

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

Ideological Context and Associations

It is not only what Takaichi has stated which has led people to label her as a defender of the patriarchy.

It's also apparent by which individuals her supporters inside the party have been.

She's the protégé of the late ex- conservative prime minister Shinzo Abe, and was endorsed in the party vote by Taro Aso – a senior figure in the LDP at the leadership of one of the ruling party's most influential right-wing factions.

Their group's support for Sanae Takaichi was pivotal in consolidating the party's right wing behind her.

“I do feel that it is difficult for females to somewhat identify with her success because it promotes this idea that we must be obedient with the existing system,” 21-year-old a citizen says.

The 21-year-old agrees, saying that with her as a symbol for women in government, “people are likely to anticipate the identical from women as well”.

“They will demand us to be compliant, not go against the ideals that they have, and it could render our job more difficult.”

Upcoming Challenges and Expectations

Achieving this milestone, though, was just the first of the difficulties Takaichi will encounter – including tackling a sluggish economy and rising prices and winning back the trust of a discontented and irate electorate, as in addition to welcoming president Trump within a short time of assuming office.

One can reasonably assume that few anticipate gender equality issues to be high on her priority list.