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For many female youth in Japan currently, the sight of Sanae Takaichi taking the helm as the nation's first ever female prime minister is powerful and formative.

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

However, although the optics suggest a progressive moment, some women don't see her as an champion of progress.

“It was quite fascinating to see how people outside Japan have reacted to the news,” Ayda Ogura states.

“Everyone's like, ‘wow, she's the inaugural woman prime minister in Japanese history and that would be a significant chance for female advancement and equal rights in Japan’.

“I think that's a rather simplistic view.”

Conversely, the young woman points to her “political beliefs and what she represents,” noting: “She reinforces the male-dominated structure.”

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

And like Thatcher, Takaichi is a firm conservative.

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

The leader is against marriage equality and has long stood against legislation that would permit married couples to have separate surnames, blocking many females from retaining their birth surnames.

She's also against females being in eligible for the throne in the royal household.

Nonetheless, she did soften some of her messaging during her election bid – saying she favours giving tax incentives to businesses that offer childcare facilities to their staff and mentioned possible tax breaks for families investing in child-rearing.

But she has over the years supported the idea of a more traditional role for females in society and in the family.

Regarding women's issues, Takaichi is aligned with her country's less than impressive record on gender issues.

Japan's Gender Gap in Perspective

Japanese women are among the best educated and highest qualified in the globe and yet they struggle with the demands of a traditional culture that still directs them into traditional roles.

According to the 2025 equality ranking by the global organization, Japan ranked 118th among nearly 150 nations, with women's presence in the field of politics particularly minimal.

Top roles have historically been held by men and Japan has faced difficulties to increase the quantity of female lawmakers and corporate executives.

The globally fourth biggest economy places at the bottom among the G7 countries when it comes to the percentage of females in its national parliament. Specifically, women constitute about less than 16% of legislators in Japan, the smallest proportion among the seven major economies.

It is even slow when it comes to female healthcare: only this week was it announced that the “emergency” pill – a type of post-coital birth control available without prescription in more than 90 countries – had at last been authorized for over the counter use in Japan.

Differing Reactions to the Landmark Leadership

Nonetheless, some see Takaichi's ascent as a pivotal moment that could change how females view their prospects.

“It is highly meaningful in Ms Takaichi assuming the role of prime minister, with a wider influence on society,” a former mayor – who became the nation's youngest female city leader in 2012 – told local media.

Koshi argued 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 businesses and society, despite gender-based stereotypes and expectations still remain.

However Audrey Hill-Uekawa notes that, while it is remarkable Japan has its first female prime minister, it is important to recall it required her more than 30 years to get to that office.

“She's also not really going against the norm. She's saying the identical views as the men.”

The young woman further states that she shouldn't be put on a pedestal just due to the fact she is a woman.

“It is essential to make sure we're talking about her policies. We must be able to evaluate her equally as all other leaders.”

Ideological Background and Influences

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

Additionally, it is apparent by who her champions inside the party have been.

She's the protégé of the late former hawkish prime minister a previous leader, and was backed in the party vote by a senior politician – a prominent member in the LDP at the head of one of the government's most powerful conservative blocs.

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

“I do feel that it is difficult for females to sort of identify with her success because it furthers this idea that we have to be obedient with the existing system,” young adult Minori Konishi remarks.

The 21-year-old concurs, stating that with her as a symbol for females in politics, “people are going to expect the same from us as well”.

“They will demand women to be conforming, not oppose the beliefs that they hold, and it might make our job more difficult.”

Future Obstacles and Anticipations

Making history, however, was only the initial of the difficulties Takaichi will face – including addressing a sluggish economy and inflation and winning back the confidence of a discontented and angry electorate, as well as welcoming the US leader within a short time of taking power.

It's safe to say that few anticipate gender equality issues to be high on her agenda.