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For many female youth in Japan currently, the sight of Sanae Takaichi assuming leadership as the nation's first ever female leader is powerful and formative.

This signifies a male-oriented culture and a government structure that has long been dominated by men is currently headed by a woman.

But while the optics suggest a forward-thinking era, certain females do not view her as an advocate for change.

“It was quite interesting to observe how people beyond Japan's borders have reacted to the announcement,” Ayda Ogura states.

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

“I think that's a very naive view.”

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

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

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

Analysts note her ascension is a strategic decision from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party to attract the increasingly right-leaning base which had recently gravitated towards Japan's parties further to the right.

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

Additionally, she is against women being in line for succession in the imperial family.

Nonetheless, she did soften certain her messaging during her campaign – stating she supports giving tax incentives to businesses that provide daycare services to their employees and mentioned potential deductions for families investing in child-rearing.

But she has over the years backed the idea of a conventional role for women in the community and in the home.

When it comes to women's issues, Takaichi is aligned with her country's subpar performance on equality concerns.

The Country's Gender Gap in Context

Women in Japan are some of the most highly educated and highest qualified in the world and yet they face challenges with the expectations of a conservative society that still directs them into conventional positions.

Based on the 2025 gender gap index by the World Economic Forum, Japan ranked 118th out of among nearly 150 nations, with women's presence in the field of politics notably low.

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

The world's fourth largest economy places at the bottom among the G7 countries when it comes to the percentage of women in its national parliament. Specifically, females make up 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 revealed that the “emergency” pill – a form of emergency contraception sold over the counter in over ninety countries – had at last been authorized for over the counter use in Japan.

Differing Responses to the Historic Appointment

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

“There is great significance in Ms Takaichi becoming prime minister, with a wider influence on society,” Naomi Koshi – who became the country's youngest female city leader in 2012 – told Japan's Kyodo news agency.

Koshi argued Japan having a woman prime minister will “lower psychological barriers” for females of all ages, enabling them to believe it is normal to “excel” as authorities in companies and the community, even as gender-based stereotypes and expectations still persist.

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

“She's also not truly going against the grain. She expresses the identical views as the male politicians.”

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

“It is essential to make sure we're discussing her agenda. We need to be able to criticise her fairly as everyone else.”

Ideological Context and Associations

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

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

She's the protégé of the late ex- hawkish prime minister a previous leader, and was backed in the leadership election by Taro Aso – a prominent member in the ruling party at the head of one of the government's most powerful right-wing factions.

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

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

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

“They're going to expect us to be conforming, not oppose the ideals that they hold, and it might make our job more difficult.”

Future Obstacles and Anticipations

Making history, though, was only the initial of the challenges Takaichi will face – including tackling a sluggish economy and inflation and winning back the confidence of a discontented and irate electorate, as in addition to welcoming president Trump within days of taking power.

One can reasonably assume that few anticipate gender equality issues to be high on her agenda.