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To numerous female youth in Japan today, the sight of Sanae Takaichi assuming leadership as the nation's first ever female prime minister is impactful and influential.

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

However, although the optics speak of a forward-thinking era, certain females do not view her as an champion of progress.

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

People are saying, ‘wow, she's the inaugural woman prime minister in Japanese history and that would be a great opportunity for female advancement and equal rights in Japan’.

“I think that's a very naive view.”

Instead, the young woman points to her “ideological stance and what she represents,” noting: “She reinforces the male-dominated structure.”

A big fan of Britain's first female prime minister, Sanae Takaichi has long aspired to be the “Iron Lady” of her country.

Similar to Thatcher, Takaichi is a staunch conservative.

Analysts note her leadership is a strategic decision from the governing Liberal Democratic Party to appeal to the increasingly right-leaning base which had recently gravitated towards Japan's more extreme conservative groups.

The leader is against marriage equality and has consistently voted 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.

However, she moderated some of her statements during her election bid – stating she favours giving financial benefits to companies that offer childcare facilities to their staff and mentioned possible tax breaks for families investing in childcare.

Yet she has over the years backed the idea of a conventional role for women in the community and in the home.

Regarding gender matters, Takaichi is aligned with her country's less than impressive record on equality concerns.

Japan's Inequality in Context

Japanese women are among 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 conventional positions.

Based on the 2025 equality ranking by the global organization, Japan ranked 118th among nearly 150 nations, with female representation in the political arena notably low.

Leadership positions have historically been held by males and Japan has struggled to increase the number of women legislators and business leaders.

The world's fourth largest economic power ranks at the bottom among the G7 countries when it comes to the share of females in its legislative body. In detail, females make up about less than 16% of legislators in Japan, the smallest proportion among the seven major economies.

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

Mixed Responses to the Historic Leadership

Nonetheless, some see Takaichi's rise to power as a critical juncture that could change how women view their prospects.

“It is highly meaningful in the new prime minister assuming the role of prime minister, with a wider influence on society,” a former mayor – who was elected as the country's most youthful woman city leader in 2012 – informed local media.

Koshi argued Japan having a female prime minister will “lower mental obstacles” for females of all ages, helping them feel it is acceptable to “stand out” as authorities in companies and society, despite gender-based stereotypes and expectations still remain.

However a 20-year-old points out that, while it is remarkable Japan has its first female prime minister, it is important to recall it required her over three decades to reach that position.

“She's also not truly challenging the norm. She's saying the identical views as the men.”

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

“We need to ensure we're discussing her agenda. We must be capable of evaluate 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.

Additionally, it is evident by who her champions within the LDP have were.

She was mentored of the deceased ex- hawkish prime minister a previous leader, and was endorsed in the leadership election by a senior politician – a senior figure in the LDP at the head of one of the government's most powerful right-wing factions.

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

“I do feel that it is difficult for women to somewhat relate to her achievement because it furthers this idea that we must be compliant with the status quo,” 21-year-old a citizen says.

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

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

Upcoming Obstacles and Anticipations

Achieving this milestone, however, was just the first of the challenges Takaichi will face – not least tackling a sluggish economy and rising prices and winning back the confidence of a frustrated and angry voting public, as in addition to welcoming president Trump within days of taking power.

It's safe to say that no-one expects gender equality issues to be a top priority on her priority list.