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

It means a male-oriented culture and a government structure that has historically been controlled by men is now led by a female.

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

It was rather interesting to see how individuals beyond Japan's borders 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 great opportunity for women empowerment and gender equality in Japan’.

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

Instead, Ms Ogura points to her “ideological stance and what she represents,” adding: “She reinforces the male-dominated structure.”

A big fan of Britain's first female prime minister, Sanae Takaichi has long aspired to be the “Iron Lady” of her country.

And like Thatcher, Takaichi is a staunch conservative.

Analysts note her leadership is a strategic decision from the governing Liberal Democratic Party to attract the increasingly right-leaning supporters which had lately shifted towards Japan's more extreme conservative groups.

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

Additionally, she is opposed to females being in eligible for the throne in the royal household.

Nonetheless, she did soften certain her statements during her election bid – saying she favours giving tax incentives to businesses that provide daycare services to their staff and spoke of possible tax breaks for families investing in childcare.

Yet she has over the years supported the notion of a more traditional role for females in the community and in the home.

When it comes to women's issues, Takaichi is consistent with her country's less than impressive performance on equality concerns.

Japan's Inequality in Perspective

Women in Japan are some of the most highly 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.

According to the 2025 equality ranking by the global organization, Japan ranked 118th out of among 148 nations, with female representation in the political arena particularly minimal.

Top roles have historically been held by men and Japan has struggled to increase the quantity of women legislators and corporate executives.

The globally fourth biggest economy places last among the G7 countries when it comes to the percentage of women in its legislative body. Specifically, females constitute about 15.7% of lawmakers in Japan, the lowest figure among the G7.

Progress is also sluggish when it comes to women's reproductive health: recently was it revealed that the “emergency” pill – a type of emergency contraception available without prescription in over ninety countries – had finally been approved for over the counter use in Japan.

Differing Responses to the Landmark Leadership

Even so, certain individuals view Takaichi's ascent as a critical juncture that could change how females view their prospects.

“It is highly meaningful in the new prime minister becoming prime minister, with a wider influence on society,” Naomi Koshi – who was elected as the country's most youthful woman city leader in 2012 – informed Japan's Kyodo news agency.

Koshi argued Japan electing a woman prime minister will “lower psychological barriers” for females of all ages, helping them feel it is acceptable to “stand out” as authorities in businesses and society, even as biased expectations and expectations still remain.

But Audrey Hill-Uekawa notes that, while it is notable Japan has its inaugural woman leader, it is important to recall it required her over three decades to reach that office.

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

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

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

Political Background and Influences

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

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

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

Their group's backing for Sanae Takaichi was pivotal in consolidating the conservative wing behind her.

“I do feel that it is challenging for females to sort of relate to her achievement because it furthers this idea that we have to be obedient with the existing system,” young adult Minori Konishi remarks.

The 21-year-old concurs, stating that with her as a figurehead for women in politics, “the public are going to expect the identical from women 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 harder.”

Upcoming Obstacles and Expectations

Making history, however, was only the initial of the difficulties Takaichi will face – not least tackling a slow growth and inflation and winning back the trust of a discontented and irate voting public, as well as hosting the US leader within days of taking power.

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