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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 leader is powerful and influential.

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

However, although the appearances speak of a progressive moment, certain females do not view her as an champion of progress.

“It was quite fascinating to see how people beyond Japan's borders have responded to the announcement,” Ayda Ogura says.

People are saying, ‘wow, she's the inaugural woman prime minister in Japanese history and that would be a significant chance for female advancement and gender equality in Japan’.

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

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

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

And like Thatcher, Takaichi is a firm right-wing politician.

Observers say her leadership is a tactical move from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party to attract the more conservative supporters which had recently gravitated towards Japan's more extreme conservative groups.

Takaichi opposes same-sex marriage and has consistently voted against laws that would permit spouses to have different last names, preventing many women from retaining their maiden names.

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

Nonetheless, she did soften some of her statements during her election bid – saying she supports giving financial benefits to businesses that provide childcare facilities to their employees and mentioned potential deductions for families spending on child-rearing.

Yet she has historically supported the idea of a conventional role for females in the community and in the family.

When it comes to women's issues, Takaichi is consistent with her country's less than impressive performance on equality concerns.

The Country's Gender Gap in Context

Japanese women are among the best educated and highest qualified in the globe and yet they face challenges with the demands of a traditional culture that still pushes them into conventional positions.

Based on the 2025 gender gap index by the global organization, Japan ranked 118th among 148 nations, with women's presence in the political arena particularly minimal.

Leadership positions have traditionally been dominated by males and Japan has faced difficulties to increase the quantity of women legislators and business leaders.

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

Progress is also sluggish when it comes to women's reproductive health: recently was it announced that the “emergency” pill – a form of post-coital birth control available without prescription in more than 90 countries – had at last been authorized for non-prescription sales in Japan.

Differing Reactions to the Historic Leadership

Nonetheless, certain individuals view Takaichi's rise to power as a pivotal moment that could change how females view their prospects.

“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 mayor in 2012 – informed local media.

Koshi argued Japan having a female prime minister will “lower psychological barriers” for women and girls, helping them feel it is normal to “stand out” as leaders in companies and society, even as gender-based stereotypes and expectations still remain.

However a 20-year-old notes that, while it is notable Japan has its first female prime minister, it is important to recall it took her more than 30 years to reach that position.

“She's also not really challenging the norm. She expresses the same thing as the male politicians.”

The young woman further states that she ought not be placed on a platform simply because she is a female.

“We need to make sure we're talking about her agenda. We need to be capable of evaluate her fairly as all other leaders.”

Ideological Background and Influences

It is not just what Takaichi has said which has caused individuals to describe her as a supporter of the patriarchy.

It's also evident by who her supporters within the LDP have were.

She's the protégé of the late ex- hawkish prime minister Shinzo Abe, and was backed in the party vote by Taro Aso – a prominent member in the ruling party at the head of one of the government's most influential conservative blocs.

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

“I believe that it is challenging for women to somewhat relate to her success because it furthers this notion that we have to be obedient with the existing system,” 21-year-old a citizen says.

Ms Ogura concurs, saying that with her as a figurehead for women in politics, “the public are likely to anticipate the identical from us as too”.

“They will demand women to be conforming, not go against the ideals that they have, and it could render our job harder.”

Future Challenges and Expectations

Making history, however, was just the first of the challenges Takaichi will encounter – including tackling a sluggish economy and inflation and regaining the trust of a discontented and angry electorate, as well as hosting president Trump within a short time of assuming office.

One can reasonably assume that no-one expects women's rights matters to be high on her priority list.