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To numerous young girls in Japan today, the sight of Sanae Takaichi assuming leadership as the country's first ever woman prime minister is powerful and influential.

This signifies a male-oriented culture and a government structure that has historically been controlled by men is now led by a woman.

However, although the appearances suggest a progressive moment, certain females do not view her as an advocate for change.

It was rather fascinating to observe how people beyond Japan's borders have responded to the news,” a 21-year-old states.

“Everyone's like, ‘wow, she's the first female prime minister in the nation's past and that would be a great opportunity for women empowerment and equal rights in Japan’.

“I think that's a rather simplistic interpretation.”

Conversely, the young woman highlights her “political beliefs and what she stands for,” adding: “She perpetuates the patriarchal system.”

A big fan of Margaret Thatcher, Sanae Takaichi has always wanted to be the “Iron Lady” of her country.

Similar to Thatcher, Takaichi is a staunch conservative.

Observers say her leadership is a tactical move from the ruling LDP to appeal to the increasingly right-leaning base which had lately shifted towards Japan's parties further to the right.

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

Additionally, she is opposed to females being in eligible for the throne in the imperial family.

Nonetheless, she did soften certain her statements during her campaign – saying she supports giving financial benefits to businesses that offer childcare facilities to their employees and spoke of potential tax breaks for households spending on childcare.

But she has historically supported the idea of a more traditional role for women in the community and in the family.

Regarding gender matters, Takaichi is aligned with her country's less than impressive performance on gender issues.

The Country's Inequality in Perspective

Japanese women are some of the most highly 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.

Based on the 2025 gender gap index by the global organization, Japan placed 118th out of among 148 countries, 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 quantity of female lawmakers and corporate executives.

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

It is even slow when it comes to female healthcare: recently was it announced that the “emergency” pill – a form of post-coital birth control available without prescription in over ninety nations – had at last been authorized for over the counter use in Japan.

Differing Responses to the Historic Appointment

Even so, some see Takaichi's rise to power as a pivotal moment that could change how females perceive their opportunities.

“It is highly meaningful in Ms Takaichi assuming the role of prime minister, with a wider influence on society,” a former mayor – who became the country's youngest female city leader in 2012 – told local media.

She contended Japan having a woman prime minister will “reduce psychological barriers” for females of all ages, helping them feel it is acceptable to “excel” as authorities in businesses and the community, despite biased expectations and norms still persist.

But a 20-year-old points out that, while it is remarkable Japan has its inaugural woman leader, one must remember it required her more than 30 years to reach that office.

“She's also not really challenging the grain. She's saying the identical views as the men.”

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

“We need to make sure we're discussing her policies. We need to be able to criticise her equally as all other leaders.”

Ideological Context and Influences

It is not only what Takaichi has stated which has caused individuals to describe her as a defender of the patriarchy.

Additionally, it is evident by which individuals her champions inside the party have were.

She's the protégé of the late former hawkish prime minister Shinzo Abe, and was backed in the party vote by Taro Aso – a senior figure 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 pivotal in uniting the party's right wing behind her.

“I believe that it is challenging for females to sort of identify with her success because it furthers this notion that we must be obedient with the existing system,” young adult Minori Konishi remarks.

The 21-year-old agrees, stating that with her as a symbol for females in government, “people are going to expect the identical from women as well”.

“They will demand women to be compliant, not oppose the beliefs that they hold, and it might make our role harder.”

Upcoming Obstacles and Anticipations

Making history, though, was only the initial of the difficulties Takaichi will face – not least addressing a sluggish economy and inflation and regaining the confidence of a frustrated and irate voting public, as in addition to hosting the US leader within days of assuming office.

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