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To numerous female youth in Japan today, the image of Sanae Takaichi taking the helm as the country's first ever female leader is powerful and influential.

This signifies a patriarchal society and a government structure that has long been dominated by men is now led by a female.

But while the appearances speak of a progressive moment, some women don't see her as an advocate for change.

“It was quite interesting to observe how people beyond Japan's borders have responded to the news,” a 21-year-old says.

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

In my opinion that's a very naive view.”

Instead, Ms Ogura highlights her “ideological stance and what she represents,” noting: “She perpetuates the male-dominated structure.”

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

And like Thatcher, Takaichi is a staunch conservative.

Observers say her ascension is a strategic decision from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party to appeal to the more conservative supporters which had recently gravitated towards Japan's more extreme conservative groups.

The leader is against same-sex marriage and has long stood against legislation that would permit spouses to have separate surnames, blocking many females from keeping their maiden names.

She's also against women being in line for succession in the royal household.

However, she moderated certain her statements during her campaign – saying she supports giving financial benefits to companies that offer daycare services to their staff and spoke of possible deductions for families investing in childcare.

Yet she has over the years backed the idea of a more traditional position for females in society and in the family.

Regarding women's issues, Takaichi is consistent with her nation's less than impressive record on gender issues.

Japan's Gender Gap in Perspective

Japanese women are some of the best educated and highest qualified in the world and yet they struggle with the expectations of a traditional culture that still pushes them into traditional roles.

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

Top roles have historically been held by men and Japan has struggled to boost the quantity of female lawmakers and business leaders.

The world's fourth largest economy places last among the Group of Seven nations when it comes to the share of females in its national parliament. Specifically, women make up about 15.7% of legislators in Japan, the lowest figure among the G7.

Progress is also sluggish when it comes to female healthcare: only this week was it revealed that the “morning after” pill – a type of emergency contraception sold over the counter in more than 90 countries – had finally been approved for over the counter use in Japan.

Differing Responses to the Historic Appointment

Even so, some see Takaichi's ascent as a pivotal moment that could alter how women perceive their prospects.

“It is highly meaningful in the new prime minister becoming prime minister, with a broader impact on the public,” a former mayor – who was elected as the nation's most youthful woman mayor in 2012 – informed Japan's Kyodo news agency.

Koshi argued Japan electing a female prime minister will “reduce mental obstacles” for women and girls, helping them feel it is acceptable to “stand out” as authorities in businesses and the community, even as biased expectations and expectations still remain.

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 over three decades to get to that office.

“Additionally, she is not really going against the norm. She expresses the same thing as the men.”

The young woman adds that she ought not be placed on a pedestal simply because she is a female.

“We need to ensure we're talking about her policies. We need to be capable of evaluate her fairly as everyone else.”

Ideological Context and Influences

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

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

She was mentored of the late ex- hawkish prime minister a previous leader, and was endorsed in the party vote by Taro Aso – a prominent member in the LDP at the head of one of the government's most powerful right-wing factions.

Their group's backing for Sanae Takaichi was crucial in uniting the conservative wing in her favor.

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

The 21-year-old concurs, stating that with her as a figurehead for women in politics, “people are going to expect the same from us as well”.

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

Future Challenges and Expectations

Making history, however, was only the initial of the difficulties Takaichi will encounter – not least addressing a slow growth and rising prices and regaining the trust of a frustrated and irate electorate, as in addition to welcoming president Trump within days of taking power.

One can reasonably assume that no-one expects gender equality issues to be high on her agenda.