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For many female youth in Japan today, the image of Sanae Takaichi assuming leadership as the country's first ever female prime minister is powerful and formative.

This signifies a male-oriented culture and a political system that has historically been controlled by men is currently headed by a woman.

But while the optics suggest a forward-thinking era, some women do not view 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 says.

“Everyone's like, ‘wow, she's the inaugural woman prime minister in the nation's past and that would be a significant chance for women empowerment and gender equality in Japan’.

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

Conversely, the young woman points to her “ideological stance and what she stands for,” adding: “She perpetuates the male-dominated structure.”

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

Similar to Thatcher, Takaichi is a staunch conservative.

Observers say her leadership is a strategic decision from the governing LDP to attract the more conservative base which had recently gravitated towards Japan's more extreme conservative groups.

The leader is against same-sex marriage and has consistently voted against legislation that would permit married couples to have separate surnames, blocking many women from retaining their maiden names.

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

However, she moderated certain her statements during her election bid – saying she favours giving financial benefits to businesses that provide daycare services to their staff and mentioned potential tax breaks for households spending on childcare.

Yet she has over the years supported the notion of a conventional role for females in society and in the family.

When it comes to gender matters, Takaichi is aligned with her country's subpar record on gender issues.

The Country's Gender Gap in Perspective

Women in Japan 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 traditional roles.

According to the 2025 equality ranking by the global organization, Japan placed 118th among 148 countries, with women's presence in the political arena particularly minimal.

Leadership positions have traditionally been dominated by men and Japan has faced difficulties to boost the number of women legislators 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. In detail, women constitute about 15.7% 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 revealed that the “emergency” pill – a form of post-coital birth control sold over the counter in over ninety countries – had finally been approved for non-prescription sales in Japan.

Mixed Responses to the Historic Appointment

Even so, certain individuals view Takaichi's rise to power as a pivotal moment that could alter how women 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 mayor in 2012 – informed local media.

Koshi argued Japan having a woman prime minister will “reduce psychological barriers” for women and girls, enabling them to believe it is acceptable to “excel” as authorities in businesses and society, despite biased expectations and expectations still remain.

But Audrey Hill-Uekawa points out that, while it is remarkable Japan has its first female leader, it is important to recall it required her over three decades to reach that position.

“Additionally, she is not truly going against the grain. She's saying the identical views as the men.”

The young woman adds that she ought not be placed on a pedestal just due to the fact she is a female.

“We need to ensure we're discussing her policies. We need to be capable of criticise her equally as everyone else.”

Political Context and Associations

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

It's also apparent by who her supporters within the LDP have been.

She was mentored of the late former hawkish prime minister a previous leader, and was backed in the party vote by a senior politician – a senior figure in the LDP at the leadership of one of the government's most influential conservative blocs.

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

“I believe that it is difficult for females to somewhat identify with her success because it furthers this idea that we must be compliant with the existing system,” young adult Minori Konishi remarks.

The 21-year-old agrees, saying that with her as a symbol for women in government, “the public are likely to anticipate the identical from us as too”.

“They're going to expect women to be compliant, not go against the ideals that they have, and it might make our role harder.”

Upcoming Challenges and Expectations

Making history, though, was just the first of the challenges Takaichi will encounter – including tackling a sluggish economy and rising prices and winning back the confidence of a frustrated and irate electorate, as in addition to welcoming the US leader within a short time of assuming office.

It's safe to say that no-one expects women's rights matters to be a top priority on her agenda.