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For many female youth in Japan today, the sight of Sanae Takaichi assuming leadership as the nation's inaugural female prime minister is powerful and influential.

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

But while the appearances suggest a forward-thinking era, certain females don't see her as an champion of progress.

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

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

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

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

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

And like Thatcher, Takaichi is a firm conservative.

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

Takaichi opposes same-sex marriage and has consistently voted against legislation that would permit married couples to have separate surnames, blocking many females from retaining their birth surnames.

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

Nonetheless, she moderated some of her statements during her election bid – stating she favours giving financial benefits to companies that provide childcare facilities to their employees and spoke of potential tax breaks for households investing in child-rearing.

But she has historically backed the notion of a conventional position for women in society and in the home.

Regarding gender matters, Takaichi is consistent with her nation's subpar record on equality concerns.

Japan's Gender Gap in Perspective

Japanese women are some of the most highly educated and highest qualified in the globe and yet they struggle with the demands of a traditional culture that still directs them into traditional roles.

According to the 2025 equality ranking by the global organization, Japan placed 118th out of among 148 countries, with female representation in the field of politics notably low.

Top roles have traditionally been dominated by males and Japan has faced difficulties to boost the quantity of women legislators and corporate executives.

The world's fourth largest economic power places last among the G7 countries when it comes to the share of females in its legislative body. Specifically, women constitute about 15.7% of lawmakers in Japan, the smallest proportion among the G7.

Progress is also sluggish when it comes to women's reproductive health: recently was it announced that the “morning after” pill – a form of emergency contraception available without prescription in over ninety countries – had finally been approved for non-prescription sales in Japan.

Differing Reactions to the Historic Leadership

Nonetheless, certain individuals view Takaichi's rise to power as a pivotal moment that could change how females view their opportunities.

“There is great significance in the new prime minister assuming the role of prime minister, with a broader impact on the public,” a former mayor – who was elected as the nation's youngest female city leader in 2012 – informed Japan's Kyodo news agency.

Koshi argued Japan having a woman prime minister will “reduce psychological barriers” for women and girls, enabling them to believe it is normal to “stand out” as leaders in companies and society, despite biased expectations and expectations still remain.

But Audrey Hill-Uekawa notes that, while it is notable Japan has its first female prime minister, it is important to recall it required her more than 30 years to get to 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 ought not be placed on a pedestal simply because she is a female.

“We need to make sure we're discussing her policies. We need to be able to evaluate her fairly as everyone else.”

Political Background and Influences

It is not just what Takaichi has said which has led people to label her as a defender of the patriarchy.

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

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

His faction's backing for Sanae Takaichi was pivotal in uniting the party's right wing behind her.

“I believe that it is difficult for women to sort of relate to her success because it furthers this notion that we must be compliant with the status quo,” young adult Minori Konishi remarks.

The 21-year-old agrees, saying that with her as a symbol for females in government, “people are going to expect the same from us as too”.

“They will demand women to be compliant, not oppose the beliefs that they have, and it might make our role more difficult.”

Future Challenges and Expectations

Achieving this milestone, however, was just the first of the challenges Takaichi will encounter – not least tackling a sluggish economy and inflation and regaining the confidence of a frustrated and irate voting public, as well as 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.