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

It means a male-oriented culture and a political system that has historically been controlled by men is now led by a woman.

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

“It was quite interesting to observe how individuals outside Japan have reacted to the announcement,” Ayda Ogura says.

“Everyone's like, ‘wow, she's the inaugural woman prime minister in Japanese history and that would be a great opportunity for female advancement and gender equality in Japan’.

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

Instead, Ms Ogura highlights her “political beliefs and what she stands for,” adding: “She perpetuates the patriarchal system.”

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

Similar to Thatcher, Takaichi is a firm right-wing politician.

Analysts note her leadership is a tactical move from the governing Liberal Democratic Party to attract the more conservative 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 against women being in eligible for the throne in the royal household.

Nonetheless, she did soften some of her statements during her election bid – saying she favours giving financial benefits to businesses that provide daycare services to their employees and spoke of possible tax breaks for households investing in childcare.

Yet she has historically backed the notion of a conventional position for females in the community and in the family.

When it comes to gender matters, Takaichi is consistent with her nation's subpar performance on gender issues.

Japan's Inequality in Context

Japanese women are among the best educated and highest qualified in the globe and yet they struggle with the demands of a conservative society that still directs them into conventional positions.

According to the 2025 equality ranking by the global organization, Japan ranked 118th out of among 148 nations, with women's presence in the field of politics notably low.

Leadership positions have historically been held by males and Japan has struggled to increase the number of female lawmakers and corporate executives.

The globally fourth biggest economy places at the bottom among the Group of Seven nations when it comes to the percentage of women in its legislative body. In detail, females constitute about 15.7% of legislators in Japan, the smallest proportion among the seven major economies.

It is even slow when it comes to female healthcare: only this week was it announced that the “morning after” pill – a type of emergency contraception available without prescription in more than 90 nations – had finally been approved for over the counter use in Japan.

Mixed Responses to the Historic Appointment

Nonetheless, some see Takaichi's ascent as a pivotal moment that could alter how women view their opportunities.

“There is great significance in Ms Takaichi assuming the role of prime minister, with a broader impact on the public,” Naomi Koshi – who was elected as the country's youngest female city leader in 2012 – told local media.

Koshi argued Japan electing a woman prime minister will “lower mental obstacles” for females of all ages, enabling them to believe it is acceptable to “excel” as leaders in companies and society, despite biased expectations and norms still remain.

However Audrey Hill-Uekawa points out that, while it is remarkable Japan has its inaugural woman prime minister, it is important to recall it took her over three decades to reach that position.

“Additionally, she is not really going against the norm. She expresses the identical views as the male politicians.”

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

“It is essential to ensure we're talking about her agenda. We must be capable of criticise her fairly as all other leaders.”

Political Background and Associations

It is not just what Takaichi has said which has led people to label 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- conservative prime minister a previous leader, and was endorsed in the party vote by Taro Aso – a senior figure in the ruling party at the head of one of the ruling party's most influential conservative blocs.

His faction's support for Sanae Takaichi was crucial in consolidating the conservative wing behind her.

“I believe that it is difficult for women to somewhat relate to her success because it promotes this notion that we must be obedient with the status quo,” 21-year-old Minori Konishi says.

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

“They will demand women to be conforming, not go against the beliefs that they have, and it might make our role more difficult.”

Upcoming Challenges and Expectations

Achieving this milestone, however, was just the first of the difficulties Takaichi will encounter – including addressing a slow growth and rising prices and winning back the confidence of a discontented and irate electorate, as in addition to hosting president Trump within days of assuming office.

It's safe to say that no-one expects women's rights matters to be high on her agenda.