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To numerous female youth in Japan today, the image of Sanae Takaichi assuming leadership as the nation's inaugural female leader is powerful and influential.

This signifies a patriarchal society and a political system that has historically been controlled by men is now led by a female.

But while the appearances suggest a progressive moment, certain females don't see her as an advocate for change.

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

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

“I think that's a very naive view.”

Conversely, Ms Ogura points to her “political beliefs and what she represents,” adding: “She perpetuates the male-dominated structure.”

A strong admirer of Margaret Thatcher, Sanae Takaichi has always wanted to be the “Iron Lady” of her nation.

And like Thatcher, Takaichi is a firm conservative.

Observers say her ascension is a tactical move from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party to attract the more conservative 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, preventing many females from keeping their maiden names.

Additionally, she is opposed to women being in eligible for the throne in the royal household.

However, she did soften certain her messaging during her election bid – stating she favours giving financial benefits to businesses that provide childcare facilities to their staff and spoke of potential deductions for families spending on childcare.

Yet she has historically backed the notion of a conventional position for females in the community and in the home.

When it comes to gender matters, Takaichi is consistent with her nation's less than impressive record on equality concerns.

The Country's Gender Gap in Perspective

Women in Japan are among the most highly educated and most skilled 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 gender gap index by the global organization, Japan ranked 118th out of among 148 nations, with female representation in the field of politics notably low.

Leadership positions have traditionally been dominated by males and Japan has faced difficulties to boost the number of female lawmakers and business leaders.

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 legislative body. 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: only this week was it revealed that the “morning after” pill – a type of emergency contraception available without prescription in more than 90 nations – had finally been approved for over the counter use in Japan.

Mixed Reactions to the Historic Leadership

Nonetheless, certain individuals view Takaichi's ascent 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 wider influence on the public,” a former mayor – who became the nation's most youthful woman mayor in 2012 – informed Japan's Kyodo news agency.

Koshi argued Japan electing a woman prime minister will “reduce psychological barriers” for females of all ages, enabling them to believe it is acceptable to “stand out” as authorities in companies and the community, despite gender-based stereotypes and expectations still remain.

But a 20-year-old notes that, while it is remarkable Japan has its first female prime minister, one must remember it took her over three decades to get to that office.

“Additionally, she is not really challenging the grain. She expresses the same thing as the male politicians.”

Ms Hill-Uekawa adds that she shouldn't be put 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 criticise her equally as everyone else.”

Ideological Background and Influences

It is not just what Takaichi has said which has led people to label her as a supporter of the patriarchy.

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

She's the protégé of the late ex- conservative prime minister Shinzo Abe, and was backed in the leadership election by a senior politician – a senior figure in the ruling party at the head of one of the government's most influential conservative blocs.

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

“I believe that it is challenging for women to sort of identify with her success because it promotes this notion that we must be obedient with the existing system,” 21-year-old Minori Konishi says.

Ms Ogura agrees, saying that with her as a figurehead for women in politics, “people are going to expect the same from women as too”.

“They're going to expect us to be compliant, not oppose the beliefs that they have, and it could render our role harder.”

Future Obstacles and Anticipations

Making history, however, was only the initial of the challenges Takaichi will face – including addressing a slow growth and inflation and regaining the trust of a discontented and angry electorate, as in addition to welcoming the US leader within days of assuming office.

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