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For many female youth in Japan today, the sight of Sanae Takaichi taking the helm as the nation's inaugural woman prime minister is powerful and formative.

This signifies a patriarchal society and a political system that has long been dominated by men is now led by a woman.

However, although the optics speak of a progressive moment, certain females don't see her as an advocate for change.

“It was quite fascinating to see how individuals beyond Japan's borders have reacted to the news,” a 21-year-old states.

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

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

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

A big fan of Margaret Thatcher, Sanae Takaichi has always wanted to be the “Steel Magnolia” of her nation.

And like Thatcher, Takaichi is a staunch conservative.

Analysts note her ascension is a tactical move from the ruling LDP to attract the increasingly right-leaning supporters which had lately shifted towards Japan's parties further to the right.

The leader is against marriage equality and has long stood against laws that would allow spouses to have different last names, blocking many females from retaining their maiden names.

She's also opposed to females being in line for succession in the royal household.

Nonetheless, she moderated some of her messaging during her campaign – saying she favours giving tax incentives to companies that offer childcare facilities to their staff and spoke of possible tax breaks for families investing in childcare.

Yet she has historically supported the notion of a more traditional role for women in the community and in the family.

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

The Country's Inequality in Context

Women in Japan are some of the best educated and most skilled in the world and yet they face challenges with the demands of a conservative society that still pushes them into traditional roles.

According to the 2025 gender gap index by the World Economic Forum, Japan ranked 118th out of among 148 countries, with female representation in the field of politics notably low.

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

The world's fourth largest economic power places last among the G7 countries when it comes to the share of women in its legislative body. In detail, women make up about 15.7% of legislators in Japan, the smallest proportion among the G7.

Progress is also sluggish 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 more than 90 nations – had at last been authorized for non-prescription sales in Japan.

Mixed Responses to the Landmark Leadership

Nonetheless, some see Takaichi's rise to power as a pivotal moment that could change how women view their prospects.

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

Koshi argued Japan having a woman prime minister will “lower psychological barriers” for women and girls, helping them feel it is acceptable to “excel” as leaders in businesses and society, even as biased expectations and norms still remain.

But Audrey Hill-Uekawa notes that, while it is notable Japan has its first female prime minister, one must remember it required her more than 30 years to reach that office.

“Additionally, she is not truly going against the norm. She's saying the identical views as the men.”

Ms Hill-Uekawa further states that she shouldn't be put on a pedestal simply because she is a female.

“It is essential to make sure we're discussing her policies. We must be able to criticise her equally as everyone else.”

Ideological Context and Associations

It is not only what Takaichi has said which has caused individuals to describe her as a supporter of the male-dominated system.

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

She's the protégé of the late ex- hawkish prime minister Shinzo Abe, and was endorsed in the leadership election by a senior politician – a prominent member in the ruling party at the leadership of one of the government's most powerful conservative blocs.

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

“I believe that it is challenging for females to sort of identify with her success because it promotes this notion that we must be compliant with the status quo,” 21-year-old a citizen remarks.

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

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

Upcoming Challenges and Anticipations

Achieving this milestone, though, was only the initial of the challenges Takaichi will face – not least tackling a slow growth and rising prices and regaining the trust of a frustrated and angry electorate, as well as hosting president Trump within days of assuming office.

It's safe to say that few anticipate gender equality issues to be a top priority on her agenda.