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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 influential.

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

But while the optics suggest a forward-thinking era, some women don't see her as an advocate for change.

It was rather fascinating to see how individuals outside Japan have reacted to the announcement,” a 21-year-old states.

“Everyone's like, ‘wow, she's the first female 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 very naive view.”

Instead, Ms Ogura highlights her “ideological stance and what she represents,” noting: “She reinforces the patriarchal system.”

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

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

Analysts note her leadership is a tactical move from the ruling LDP to appeal to the increasingly right-leaning base which had lately shifted towards Japan's parties further to the right.

The leader is against same-sex marriage and has consistently voted against legislation that would permit spouses to have separate surnames, preventing many women from keeping their birth surnames.

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

Nonetheless, she did soften certain her messaging during her election bid – saying she supports giving tax incentives to businesses that offer daycare services to their employees and spoke of potential deductions for households investing in child-rearing.

But she has over the years supported the idea of a conventional position for women in society and in the family.

When it comes to gender matters, Takaichi is aligned with her nation's subpar record on equality concerns.

Japan's Gender Gap in Context

Japanese women are some of 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 traditional roles.

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

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

The world's fourth largest economy ranks last among the G7 countries when it comes to the percentage of women in its legislative body. Specifically, females make up about less than 16% of legislators in Japan, the lowest figure among the seven major economies.

It is even slow when it comes to women's reproductive health: recently was it announced that the “morning after” pill – a type of emergency contraception sold over the counter in more than 90 nations – had at last been authorized for over the counter use in Japan.

Mixed Responses to the Historic Appointment

Even so, some see Takaichi's ascent as a critical juncture that could change how women view their opportunities.

“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 city leader in 2012 – informed Japan's Kyodo news agency.

She contended Japan electing a woman prime minister will “lower psychological barriers” for women and girls, helping them feel it is normal to “excel” as leaders in businesses and the community, despite biased expectations and expectations still remain.

However Audrey Hill-Uekawa notes that, while it is notable Japan has its first female prime minister, it is important to recall it required her over three decades to get to that position.

“Additionally, she is not truly challenging the norm. She expresses the same thing as the men.”

Ms Hill-Uekawa further states that she shouldn't be put on a platform simply because she is a woman.

“We need to ensure we're discussing her agenda. We need to be able to evaluate her equally as all other leaders.”

Political Context and Associations

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

Additionally, it is apparent by which individuals her champions within the LDP have were.

She was mentored of the late former conservative prime minister Shinzo Abe, and was endorsed in the leadership election by a senior politician – a prominent member in the ruling party at the head of one of the government's most influential conservative blocs.

His faction's support for Sanae Takaichi was crucial in uniting the conservative wing in her favor.

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

Ms Ogura agrees, stating that with her as a figurehead for women in government, “the public are going to expect the same from women as too”.

“They're going to expect us to be compliant, not oppose the beliefs that they hold, and it could render our job more difficult.”

Future Challenges and Expectations

Achieving this milestone, however, was just the first of the challenges Takaichi will face – including tackling a slow growth and rising prices and regaining the confidence of a discontented and irate voting public, as in addition to hosting president Trump within days of taking power.

It's safe to say that no-one expects gender equality issues to be high on her priority list.