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To numerous female youth in Japan currently, the sight of Sanae Takaichi assuming leadership as the country's first ever woman prime minister is powerful and formative.

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

But while the optics suggest a forward-thinking era, certain females do not view her as an champion of progress.

“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 first female prime minister in Japanese history and that would be a great opportunity for female advancement and gender equality in Japan’.

“I think that's a very naive view.”

Conversely, the young woman highlights her “ideological stance and what she represents,” 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.

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

Analysts note her ascension is a tactical move from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party to appeal to the increasingly right-leaning supporters which had lately shifted towards Japan's more extreme conservative groups.

The leader is against marriage equality and has consistently voted against legislation that would permit spouses to have separate surnames, blocking many women from keeping their maiden names.

Additionally, she is opposed to women being in eligible for the throne in the royal household.

However, she did soften certain her statements during her campaign – saying she supports giving tax incentives to companies that offer daycare services to their employees and spoke of potential tax breaks for households spending on childcare.

But she has over the years supported the idea of a more traditional position for women in society and in the home.

Regarding women's issues, Takaichi is aligned with her nation's subpar performance on gender issues.

Japan's Gender Gap in Perspective

Japanese women are some of the best educated and most skilled in the globe and yet they struggle with the demands of a traditional culture that still directs them into conventional positions.

Based on the 2025 equality ranking by the World Economic Forum, Japan ranked 118th out of among 148 countries, with women's presence in the political arena particularly minimal.

Leadership positions have traditionally been dominated by males and Japan has faced difficulties to increase the number of female lawmakers and business leaders.

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

It is even slow when it comes to female healthcare: recently was it announced that the “morning after” pill – a type of emergency contraception available without prescription in over ninety nations – had at last been authorized for non-prescription sales in Japan.

Mixed Reactions to the Landmark Leadership

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

“There is great significance in Ms Takaichi becoming prime minister, with a broader impact on society,” a former mayor – who became the nation's most youthful woman mayor in 2012 – told Japan's Kyodo news agency.

Koshi argued Japan having a woman prime minister will “lower mental obstacles” for women and girls, helping them feel it is acceptable to “excel” as authorities in businesses and the community, even as biased expectations and norms still remain.

However a 20-year-old points out that, while it is notable Japan has its inaugural woman 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.”

Ms Hill-Uekawa adds that she shouldn't be put on a platform just due to the fact she is a female.

“We need to ensure we're discussing her agenda. We need to be capable of evaluate her equally as everyone else.”

Ideological Background and Influences

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

It's also evident by who her champions inside the party have were.

She was mentored of the deceased ex- hawkish prime minister Shinzo Abe, and was endorsed in the leadership election by a senior politician – a senior figure in the LDP at the head of one of the ruling party's most influential conservative blocs.

Their group's support for Sanae Takaichi was crucial in uniting the conservative wing in her favor.

“I believe that it is difficult for females to somewhat relate to her success because it promotes this idea that we have to 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 going to expect the identical from us as well”.

“They're going to expect women to be compliant, not oppose the ideals that they have, and it might make our job harder.”

Future Obstacles and Anticipations

Achieving this milestone, however, was only the initial of the difficulties Takaichi will encounter – not least addressing a slow growth and rising prices and regaining the trust of a frustrated and angry voting public, as in addition to hosting the US leader within days of taking power.

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