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For many young girls in Japan today, the sight of Sanae Takaichi taking the helm as the nation's first ever woman prime minister is powerful and formative.

This signifies a patriarchal society and a government structure that has historically been controlled by men is now led by a woman.

However, although the optics speak of a progressive moment, some women don't see her as an champion of progress.

It was rather interesting to see how individuals outside Japan have reacted to the news,” Ayda Ogura states.

People are saying, ‘wow, she's the first female 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 interpretation.”

Instead, the young woman points to her “political beliefs and what she stands for,” adding: “She reinforces the male-dominated structure.”

A strong admirer of Britain's first female prime minister, Sanae Takaichi has long aspired to be the “Iron Lady” of her nation.

And like Thatcher, Takaichi is a firm conservative.

Analysts note her ascension is a strategic decision from the governing Liberal Democratic Party to attract the increasingly right-leaning base which had lately shifted towards Japan's more extreme conservative groups.

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

She's also opposed to women being in eligible for the throne in the royal household.

However, she did soften some of her statements during her campaign – saying she supports giving financial benefits to businesses that offer childcare facilities to their employees and mentioned possible deductions for households spending on childcare.

But she has historically supported the idea of a conventional role for women in society and in the family.

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

The Country's Inequality in Context

Women in Japan are some of the most highly educated and highest qualified in the world and yet they face challenges with the expectations of a traditional culture that still pushes them into conventional positions.

According to the 2025 gender gap index by the global organization, Japan placed 118th among 148 nations, with women's presence in the field of politics particularly minimal.

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

The world's fourth largest economic power ranks last among the Group of Seven nations when it comes to the share of females in its national parliament. Specifically, women make up about 15.7% of lawmakers in Japan, the lowest figure among the G7.

Progress is also sluggish when it comes to female healthcare: recently was it revealed that the “morning after” 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.

Differing Responses to the Landmark Appointment

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

“It is highly meaningful in Ms Takaichi becoming prime minister, with a broader impact on society,” a former mayor – who was elected as the country's most youthful woman mayor in 2012 – informed Japan's Kyodo news agency.

She contended Japan electing a female prime minister will “reduce psychological barriers” for women and girls, helping them feel it is normal to “excel” as leaders in companies and the community, despite gender-based stereotypes and expectations still remain.

But Audrey Hill-Uekawa points out that, while it is remarkable Japan has its first female prime minister, it is important to recall it required her over three decades to get to that position.

“Additionally, she is not truly challenging the grain. She expresses the same thing as the men.”

The young woman adds that she ought not be placed on a pedestal just due to the fact she is a woman.

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

Ideological Background and Associations

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

Additionally, it is evident by who her supporters within the LDP have were.

She was mentored of the deceased ex- conservative prime minister Shinzo Abe, and was endorsed in the party vote by Taro Aso – a prominent member in the ruling party at the leadership of one of the government's most powerful right-wing factions.

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

“I believe that it is difficult for women to sort of relate to her success because it furthers this notion that we must be compliant with the existing system,” young adult Minori Konishi says.

Ms Ogura agrees, saying that with her as a symbol for women in government, “people are likely to anticipate the same from women as too”.

“They will demand women to be conforming, not oppose the ideals that they have, and it might make our role harder.”

Future Challenges and Expectations

Achieving this milestone, though, was just the first of the difficulties Takaichi will encounter – not least tackling a sluggish economy and rising prices and regaining the confidence of a frustrated and irate voting public, as well as welcoming president Trump within days of taking power.

One can reasonably assume that no-one expects women's rights matters to be high on her agenda.