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To numerous young girls in Japan today, the image of Sanae Takaichi taking the helm as the nation's inaugural woman 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 female.

But while the appearances speak of a forward-thinking era, some women don't see her as an champion of progress.

“It was quite fascinating to observe how people beyond Japan's borders have reacted to the announcement,” Ayda Ogura says.

“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 gender equality in Japan’.

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

Conversely, the young woman points to her “political beliefs and what she represents,” 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 strategic decision from the governing LDP to attract the increasingly right-leaning base which had lately shifted towards Japan's more extreme conservative groups.

Takaichi opposes marriage equality and has consistently voted against legislation that would allow spouses to have separate surnames, preventing many females from keeping their maiden names.

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

However, she moderated certain her messaging during her campaign – stating she favours giving financial benefits to businesses that offer daycare services to their staff and spoke of potential deductions for families investing in child-rearing.

Yet she has historically supported the idea 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 less than impressive record on gender issues.

Japan's Inequality in Context

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

Based on the 2025 equality ranking by the global organization, Japan placed 118th out of among 148 nations, with women's presence in the political arena particularly minimal.

Top roles have traditionally been dominated by males and Japan has struggled to increase the quantity of female lawmakers and business leaders.

The globally fourth biggest economic power places last among the Group of Seven nations when it comes to the percentage of women in its legislative body. Specifically, women make up about less than 16% of lawmakers in Japan, the smallest proportion among the seven major economies.

Progress is also sluggish when it comes to women's reproductive health: recently was it revealed that the “emergency” pill – a form of post-coital birth control sold over the counter in more than 90 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 view their opportunities.

“There is great significance in Ms Takaichi becoming prime minister, with a wider influence on the public,” Naomi Koshi – who was elected as the country's youngest female mayor in 2012 – informed local media.

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

However Audrey Hill-Uekawa points out that, while it is remarkable Japan has its first female prime minister, one must remember it required her over three decades to get to that office.

“She's also not really going against the norm. She's saying the identical views as the male politicians.”

The young woman adds that she shouldn't be put on a pedestal just due to the fact she is a woman.

“We need to make sure we're talking about her agenda. We need to be able to criticise her fairly 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.

Additionally, it is evident by which individuals her supporters inside the party have been.

She's the protégé of the late former conservative prime minister Shinzo Abe, and was backed in the party vote by a senior politician – a prominent member in the LDP at the head of one of the ruling party's most influential right-wing factions.

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

“I do feel that it is difficult for women to somewhat relate to her success because it furthers this idea that we have to be compliant with the status quo,” 21-year-old Minori Konishi remarks.

Ms Ogura concurs, stating that with her as a symbol for females in government, “the public are going to expect the identical from women as well”.

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

Upcoming Challenges and Expectations

Achieving this milestone, however, was only the initial of the difficulties Takaichi will encounter – including tackling a slow growth and inflation and regaining the trust of a frustrated and irate electorate, as in addition to welcoming the US leader within a short time of taking power.

One can reasonably assume that few anticipate women's rights matters to be a top priority on her agenda.