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To numerous female youth in Japan currently, the sight of Sanae Takaichi taking the helm as the country's inaugural woman 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 woman.

But while the appearances speak of a forward-thinking era, some women don't see her as an champion of progress.

“It was quite fascinating to observe how individuals outside Japan have responded 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 great opportunity for female advancement and equal rights in Japan’.

“I think that's a very naive interpretation.”

Conversely, Ms Ogura highlights her “political beliefs and what she stands for,” adding: “She reinforces the male-dominated structure.”

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

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

Analysts note her leadership is a strategic decision from the ruling LDP to appeal to the increasingly right-leaning base which had recently gravitated towards Japan's parties further to the right.

The leader is against marriage equality and has long stood against laws that would allow spouses to have separate surnames, blocking many females from retaining their birth surnames.

Additionally, she is opposed to women being in eligible for the throne in the imperial family.

However, she did soften some of her statements during her campaign – saying she favours giving financial benefits to businesses that provide childcare facilities to their employees and mentioned potential deductions for families investing in childcare.

But she has over the years backed the notion of a conventional position for females in society and in the home.

Regarding gender matters, Takaichi is aligned with her nation's subpar record on equality concerns.

The Country's Inequality in Context

Japanese women are some of the best educated and highest qualified in the world and yet they struggle with the demands of a traditional culture that still pushes them into conventional positions.

Based on the 2025 equality ranking by the global organization, Japan placed 118th among 148 nations, with female representation in the field of politics notably low.

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

The world's fourth largest economy ranks last among the Group of Seven nations when it comes to the percentage of women in its national parliament. Specifically, women make up about less than 16% of lawmakers in Japan, the lowest figure among the seven major economies.

Progress is also sluggish when it comes to female healthcare: only this week was it revealed that the “morning after” pill – a type of post-coital birth control sold over the counter in over ninety countries – had finally been approved for non-prescription sales in Japan.

Differing Responses to the Landmark Appointment

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

“There is great significance in the new prime minister assuming the role of prime minister, with a wider influence on society,” a former mayor – who became the country's most youthful woman mayor in 2012 – told local media.

Koshi argued Japan electing a female prime minister will “lower psychological barriers” for females of all ages, helping them feel it is acceptable to “stand out” as authorities in companies and the community, despite biased expectations and norms still persist.

However Audrey Hill-Uekawa points out that, while it is notable Japan has its first female leader, it is important to recall it took her over three decades to reach that office.

“Additionally, she is not truly challenging the grain. She expresses the identical views as the men.”

The young woman adds that she shouldn't be put on a platform just due to the fact she is a woman.

“We need to make sure we're talking about her policies. We need to be capable of evaluate her fairly as everyone else.”

Ideological Background and Associations

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

Additionally, it is apparent by which individuals her supporters inside the party have been.

She was mentored of the deceased former conservative prime minister a previous leader, and was backed in the leadership election by Taro Aso – a senior figure in the ruling party at the leadership of one of the government's most influential conservative blocs.

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

“I do feel that it is challenging for women to somewhat identify with her success because it promotes this idea that we must be compliant with the existing system,” young adult a citizen remarks.

Ms Ogura concurs, stating that with her as a figurehead for females in politics, “people are going to expect the identical from us as well”.

“They will demand women to be conforming, not go against the ideals that they have, and it might make our job more difficult.”

Upcoming Obstacles and Expectations

Making history, though, was just the first of the challenges Takaichi will face – including addressing a sluggish economy and rising prices and winning back the confidence of a discontented and angry voting public, as in addition to hosting the US leader within a short time of taking power.

One can reasonably assume that no-one expects gender equality issues to be high on her agenda.