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To numerous female youth in Japan currently, the sight of Sanae Takaichi assuming leadership as the nation's inaugural female prime minister is powerful and formative.

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

But while the optics suggest a forward-thinking era, certain females don't see her as an advocate for change.

It was rather interesting to see how individuals outside Japan have reacted to the news,” 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 women empowerment and equal rights in Japan’.

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

Instead, the young woman points to her “ideological stance and what she stands for,” noting: “She reinforces the patriarchal system.”

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

And like Thatcher, Takaichi is a firm conservative.

Analysts note her ascension is a strategic decision from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party to appeal to the increasingly right-leaning base which had lately shifted towards Japan's more extreme conservative groups.

Takaichi opposes same-sex marriage and has long stood against laws that would permit married couples to have different last names, preventing many females from keeping their birth surnames.

She's also against women being in eligible for the throne in the imperial family.

Nonetheless, she moderated some of her statements during her campaign – saying she supports giving financial benefits to companies that offer daycare services to their employees and mentioned potential deductions for families investing in child-rearing.

But she has historically backed the notion of a more traditional role for females in society and in the home.

Regarding women's issues, Takaichi is consistent with her country's subpar record on equality concerns.

Japan's Gender Gap in Perspective

Women in Japan are among the most highly educated and highest qualified in the globe and yet they face challenges with the demands of a conservative society that still pushes them into conventional positions.

Based on the 2025 equality ranking by the global organization, Japan ranked 118th out of among nearly 150 countries, with female representation in the political arena particularly minimal.

Top roles have traditionally been dominated by males and Japan has faced difficulties to increase the number of women legislators and business leaders.

The world's fourth largest economy places at the bottom among the G7 countries when it comes to the share of women in its national parliament. In detail, women make up about 15.7% of lawmakers in Japan, the smallest proportion among the G7.

Progress is also sluggish when it comes to women's reproductive health: only this week was it announced that the “emergency” pill – a form of post-coital birth control sold over the counter in over ninety countries – had finally been approved for non-prescription sales in Japan.

Mixed Reactions to the Landmark Appointment

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

“There is great significance in Ms Takaichi assuming the role of prime minister, with a broader impact on the public,” Naomi Koshi – who was elected as the country's youngest female city leader in 2012 – told local media.

She contended Japan having a female prime minister will “reduce mental obstacles” for females of all ages, helping them feel it is normal to “excel” as leaders in businesses and society, despite gender-based stereotypes and norms still remain.

But a 20-year-old points out that, while it is remarkable Japan has its first female leader, it is important to recall it required her more than 30 years to get to that position.

“Additionally, she is not really going against the norm. She expresses the identical views as the men.”

The young woman 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 talking about her policies. We need to be able to evaluate her fairly as all other leaders.”

Ideological Background and Influences

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

It's also evident by which individuals her supporters within the LDP have been.

She was mentored of the late ex- conservative prime minister a previous leader, and was backed in the party vote by Taro Aso – a senior figure in the LDP at the leadership of one of the ruling party's most powerful conservative blocs.

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

“I believe that it is difficult for females to somewhat identify with her achievement because it promotes this notion that we must be compliant with the status quo,” young adult a citizen says.

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

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

Upcoming Obstacles and Anticipations

Making history, however, was just the first of the challenges Takaichi will encounter – not least tackling a slow growth and inflation and regaining the trust of a discontented and irate electorate, as in addition to welcoming president Trump within a short time of taking power.

It's safe to say that no-one expects women's rights matters to be a top priority on her priority list.