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For many female youth in Japan today, the sight of Sanae Takaichi assuming leadership as the nation's first ever woman prime minister is impactful and formative.

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

However, although the appearances speak of a forward-thinking era, some women do not view her as an champion of progress.

It was rather interesting to see how individuals beyond Japan's borders have responded to the announcement,” Ayda Ogura states.

People are saying, ‘wow, she's the first female 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 highlights her “ideological stance and what she represents,” adding: “She reinforces the patriarchal system.”

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

And like Thatcher, Takaichi is a staunch conservative.

Analysts note her ascension is a tactical move from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party to attract the more conservative supporters which had lately shifted towards Japan's parties further to the right.

The leader is against same-sex marriage and has consistently voted against laws that would permit married couples to have different last names, preventing many females from retaining their birth surnames.

She's also opposed to women being in line for succession in the royal household.

Nonetheless, she moderated some of her messaging during her campaign – stating she supports giving financial benefits to businesses that provide daycare services to their employees and spoke of potential tax breaks for households spending on childcare.

But she has historically backed the notion of a conventional role for females in the community and in the family.

When it comes to gender matters, Takaichi is aligned with her country's subpar record on equality concerns.

Japan's Inequality in Perspective

Japanese women are some of the most highly educated and most skilled in the globe and yet they face challenges with the expectations of a conservative society that still directs them into traditional roles.

According to the 2025 equality ranking by the global organization, Japan ranked 118th out of among 148 countries, with female representation in the field of politics particularly minimal.

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

The world's fourth largest economy places last among the Group of Seven nations when it comes to the share of females in its national parliament. Specifically, women 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: only this week was it revealed that the “morning after” pill – a type of post-coital birth control available without prescription in over ninety nations – had finally been approved for over the counter use in Japan.

Mixed Responses to the Landmark Leadership

Nonetheless, some see Takaichi's rise to power as a pivotal moment that could alter how females view their opportunities.

“It is highly meaningful in Ms Takaichi becoming prime minister, with a broader impact on the public,” Naomi Koshi – who became the country's most youthful woman city leader in 2012 – told local media.

She contended Japan electing a female prime minister will “reduce psychological barriers” for women and girls, helping them feel it is normal to “stand out” as leaders in companies and society, despite gender-based stereotypes and expectations 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 over three decades to get to that office.

“Additionally, she is not truly challenging the norm. She's saying the same thing 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 must be able to evaluate her fairly as everyone else.”

Political Background and Influences

It is not only what Takaichi has stated which has led people to label her as a defender of the male-dominated system.

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

She's the protégé of the deceased ex- conservative prime minister Shinzo Abe, and was endorsed in the leadership election by a senior politician – a senior figure in the ruling party at the leadership of one of the government's most influential right-wing factions.

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

“I believe that it is difficult for women to sort of identify with her achievement because it promotes this notion that we must be compliant with the existing system,” 21-year-old a citizen says.

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

“They're going to expect women to be conforming, not go against the ideals that they have, and it might make our job harder.”

Upcoming Obstacles and Expectations

Making history, however, was just the first of the difficulties Takaichi will face – including tackling a slow growth and inflation and regaining the trust of a frustrated and irate electorate, as in addition to hosting the US leader within a short time of assuming office.

It's safe to say that few anticipate women's rights matters to be a top priority on her agenda.