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To numerous female youth in Japan currently, the image of Sanae Takaichi taking the helm as the country's first ever female prime minister is powerful and influential.

This signifies a patriarchal society and a government structure that has long been dominated by men is currently headed by a woman.

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

“It was quite interesting to observe how people outside Japan have responded to the announcement,” Ayda Ogura 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 female advancement and equal rights in Japan’.

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

Instead, Ms Ogura highlights her “ideological stance and what she stands for,” noting: “She reinforces the patriarchal system.”

A big fan of Britain's first female prime minister, Sanae Takaichi has always wanted to be the “Steel Magnolia” of her nation.

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

Analysts note her leadership is a tactical move from the governing Liberal Democratic Party to appeal to the more conservative base which had recently gravitated towards Japan's parties further to the right.

Takaichi opposes same-sex marriage and has long stood against laws that would allow married couples to have separate surnames, blocking many females from keeping their maiden names.

She's also against females being in line for succession in the imperial family.

Nonetheless, she moderated some of her statements during her election bid – stating she supports giving financial benefits to businesses that provide daycare services to their employees and mentioned potential deductions for families investing in child-rearing.

But she has over the years backed the notion of a more traditional position for women in society and in the family.

Regarding women's issues, Takaichi is consistent with her country's less than impressive record on gender issues.

The Country's Gender Gap in Context

Japanese women are some of the best educated and most skilled in the world and yet they struggle with the demands of a conservative society that still pushes them into traditional roles.

Based on the 2025 gender gap index by the World Economic Forum, Japan ranked 118th out of among 148 countries, with women's presence in the field of politics particularly minimal.

Leadership positions have traditionally been dominated by men and Japan has faced difficulties to boost the quantity of female lawmakers and business leaders.

The world's fourth largest economy ranks last among the G7 countries when it comes to the percentage of women in its national parliament. Specifically, women make up about less than 16% of legislators in Japan, the smallest proportion among the G7.

It is even slow when it comes to women's reproductive health: only this week was it revealed that the “morning after” pill – a type of emergency contraception sold over the counter in over ninety nations – had finally been approved for over the counter use in Japan.

Mixed Reactions to the Historic Appointment

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

“There is great significance in the new prime minister becoming prime minister, with a broader impact on the public,” a former mayor – who was elected as the nation's youngest female mayor in 2012 – told local media.

Koshi argued Japan electing a female prime minister will “reduce psychological barriers” for women and girls, helping them feel it is acceptable to “stand out” as leaders in companies and the community, even as biased expectations and expectations still remain.

However Audrey Hill-Uekawa points out that, while it is remarkable Japan has its first female leader, it is important to recall it took her over three decades to get to that office.

“Additionally, she is not really challenging the grain. She's saying the identical views as the men.”

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

“It is essential to ensure we're discussing her policies. We must be capable of evaluate her fairly as all other leaders.”

Ideological Context and Influences

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

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

She was mentored of the deceased former hawkish prime minister Shinzo Abe, and was backed in the party vote by a senior politician – a senior figure in the ruling party at the leadership of one of the ruling party's most influential conservative blocs.

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

“I believe that it is challenging for females to somewhat relate to her achievement because it promotes this idea that we must be compliant with the existing system,” 21-year-old Minori Konishi says.

The 21-year-old agrees, stating that with her as a figurehead for females in politics, “the public are likely to anticipate the identical from women as well”.

“They will demand us to be conforming, not oppose the beliefs that they hold, and it could render our job more difficult.”

Future Obstacles and Expectations

Achieving this milestone, though, was only the initial of the difficulties Takaichi will face – including tackling a slow growth and rising prices and regaining the confidence of a frustrated and irate voting public, as well as welcoming the US leader within a short time of taking power.

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