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To numerous female youth in Japan today, the sight of Sanae Takaichi taking the helm as the nation's inaugural female leader is powerful and formative.

It means a patriarchal society and a government structure that has historically been controlled by men is currently headed by a female.

However, although the appearances suggest a forward-thinking era, some women don't see her as an champion of progress.

“It was quite interesting to see how individuals outside Japan have reacted to the news,” a 21-year-old states.

People are saying, ‘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 view.”

Conversely, the young woman highlights her “ideological stance and what she stands for,” adding: “She perpetuates the male-dominated structure.”

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

Similar to Thatcher, Takaichi is a staunch right-wing politician.

Analysts note her leadership is a strategic decision from the governing LDP to appeal to the increasingly right-leaning supporters which had lately shifted towards Japan's more extreme conservative groups.

The leader is against same-sex marriage and has consistently voted against laws that would allow spouses to have separate surnames, preventing many females from keeping their maiden names.

She's also against females being in line for succession in the royal household.

However, she moderated some of her statements during her election bid – saying she supports giving financial benefits to companies that provide daycare services to their employees and mentioned possible tax breaks for households spending on child-rearing.

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

When it comes to women's issues, Takaichi is aligned with her nation's less than impressive record on gender issues.

The Country's Gender Gap in Context

Women in Japan are some of the best educated and most skilled in the world and yet they face challenges with the expectations of a traditional culture that still directs them into traditional roles.

Based on the 2025 equality ranking by the World Economic Forum, Japan placed 118th out of among 148 nations, with female representation in the political arena particularly minimal.

Leadership positions have historically been held by males and Japan has faced difficulties to boost the number of female lawmakers and corporate executives.

The world's fourth largest economy places at the bottom among the Group of Seven nations when it comes to the share of females in its legislative body. Specifically, women constitute about less than 16% of legislators in Japan, the lowest figure among the G7.

Progress is also sluggish when it comes to female healthcare: recently was it revealed that the “morning after” pill – a form of post-coital birth control available without prescription in over ninety nations – had finally been approved for over the counter use in Japan.

Differing Responses to the Landmark Appointment

Nonetheless, certain individuals view Takaichi's ascent as a critical juncture that could alter how women view their opportunities.

“It is highly meaningful in the new prime minister becoming prime minister, with a wider influence on the public,” Naomi Koshi – who became the country's most youthful woman mayor in 2012 – told Japan's Kyodo news agency.

Koshi argued Japan electing a woman prime minister will “reduce mental obstacles” for females of all ages, helping them feel it is normal to “stand out” as authorities in businesses and society, despite gender-based stereotypes and norms still remain.

However a 20-year-old notes that, while it is notable Japan has its first female prime minister, one must remember it required her more than 30 years to get to that position.

“Additionally, she is not really going against the norm. She's saying the same thing as the men.”

Ms Hill-Uekawa adds that she ought not be placed on a platform just due to the fact she is a female.

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

Political Context and Influences

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

Additionally, it is evident by which individuals her supporters within the LDP have were.

She's the protégé of the deceased former hawkish prime minister a previous leader, and was endorsed in the party vote by Taro Aso – a prominent member in the LDP at the leadership of one of the government's most influential conservative blocs.

His faction's backing for Sanae Takaichi was crucial in consolidating the conservative wing behind her.

“I believe that it is difficult for females to sort of relate to her achievement because it furthers this notion that we have to be obedient with the status quo,” 21-year-old a citizen says.

Ms Ogura concurs, stating that with her as a symbol for women in politics, “the public are likely to anticipate the identical from women as well”.

“They're going to expect us to be conforming, not oppose the beliefs that they hold, and it might make our role harder.”

Upcoming Obstacles and Expectations

Making history, though, was just the first of the difficulties Takaichi will encounter – not least tackling a sluggish economy and inflation and winning back the confidence of a discontented 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 gender equality issues to be a top priority on her priority list.