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

This signifies a male-oriented culture and a government structure that has historically been controlled by men is currently headed by a female.

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

It was rather fascinating to observe how people beyond Japan's borders have reacted to the news,” a 21-year-old states.

“Everyone's like, ‘wow, she's the first female prime minister in the nation's past and that would be a great opportunity for female advancement and gender equality in Japan’.

In my opinion that's a rather simplistic interpretation.”

Conversely, the young woman points to her “ideological stance and what she stands for,” adding: “She reinforces the patriarchal system.”

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.

Observers say her leadership is a tactical move from the governing LDP to attract the increasingly right-leaning base which had recently gravitated towards Japan's more extreme conservative groups.

Takaichi opposes marriage equality and has consistently voted against laws that would allow married couples to have different last names, preventing many women from keeping their maiden names.

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

However, she did soften some of her messaging during her election bid – stating she supports giving tax incentives to businesses that provide daycare services to their staff and spoke of potential tax breaks for households investing in child-rearing.

But she has historically supported the idea of a conventional position for women in the community and in the family.

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

Japan's Inequality in Perspective

Japanese women are some of the best educated and highest qualified in the world and yet they face challenges with the expectations of a traditional culture that still directs them into conventional positions.

Based on the 2025 gender gap index by the World Economic Forum, Japan ranked 118th among 148 nations, with female representation in the political arena particularly minimal.

Leadership positions have traditionally been dominated by men and Japan has faced difficulties to boost the quantity of women legislators and corporate executives.

The world's fourth largest economic power ranks at the bottom among the Group of Seven nations when it comes to the share of females in its national parliament. Specifically, women make up about less than 16% of lawmakers in Japan, the smallest proportion among the seven major economies.

It is even slow when it comes to women's reproductive health: only this week was it announced that the “morning after” 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

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

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

She contended Japan having a woman prime minister will “reduce psychological barriers” for women and girls, enabling them to believe it is acceptable to “excel” as leaders in companies and society, even as biased expectations and expectations still remain.

However a 20-year-old notes that, while it is remarkable Japan has its inaugural woman prime minister, one must remember it took her more than 30 years to get to that position.

“Additionally, she is not truly challenging the grain. She's saying the identical views as the male politicians.”

The young woman adds that she shouldn't be put on a platform simply because she is a woman.

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

Political Context and Influences

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

It's also apparent by which individuals her champions within the LDP have were.

She's the protégé of the late former conservative prime minister Shinzo Abe, and was backed in the leadership election by Taro Aso – a prominent member in the LDP at the leadership of one of the ruling party's most powerful right-wing factions.

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 challenging for females to somewhat identify with her success because it promotes this notion that we must be obedient with the status quo,” young adult Minori Konishi says.

The 21-year-old agrees, stating that with her as a figurehead for females in politics, “people are likely to anticipate the same from women as too”.

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

Future Obstacles and Anticipations

Making history, though, was just the first of the challenges Takaichi will face – including addressing a sluggish economy and inflation and winning back the trust of a discontented and irate electorate, as well as welcoming president Trump within days of taking power.

One can reasonably assume that few anticipate women's rights matters to be a top priority on her agenda.