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For many female youth in Japan today, the sight of Sanae Takaichi taking the helm 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 appearances suggest a forward-thinking era, some women do not view her as an advocate for change.

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

“Everyone's like, ‘wow, she's the first female prime minister in the nation's past and that would be a significant chance for women empowerment and equal rights in Japan’.

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

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

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

And like Thatcher, Takaichi is a staunch conservative.

Observers say her ascension is a strategic decision from the ruling LDP to attract the more conservative supporters which had lately shifted towards Japan's parties further to the right.

The leader is against marriage equality and has consistently voted against legislation that would allow spouses to have separate surnames, blocking many women from retaining their birth surnames.

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

However, she did soften some of her messaging during her election bid – saying she supports giving tax incentives to businesses that provide daycare services to their staff and mentioned potential deductions for families spending on childcare.

Yet she has historically backed the idea of a conventional position for females in society and in the family.

When it comes to women's issues, Takaichi is aligned with her country's subpar record on equality concerns.

The Country's Gender Gap in Perspective

Japanese women are among the most highly educated and highest qualified in the globe and yet they face challenges with the expectations of a conservative society that still directs them into conventional positions.

Based on the 2025 equality ranking by the World Economic Forum, Japan ranked 118th among nearly 150 nations, with female representation in the political arena notably low.

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

The world's fourth largest economy places last among the Group of Seven nations when it comes to the share of women in its national parliament. Specifically, females make up about less than 16% of lawmakers in Japan, the smallest proportion among the G7.

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 available without prescription in over ninety nations – had at last been authorized for non-prescription sales in Japan.

Mixed Reactions to the Historic Appointment

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

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

Koshi argued Japan electing a woman prime minister will “lower mental obstacles” for females of all ages, enabling them to believe it is acceptable to “stand out” as leaders in businesses and the community, even as biased expectations and norms still persist.

But a 20-year-old points out that, while it is notable Japan has its first female prime minister, it is important to recall it took her over three decades to reach that office.

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

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 agenda. We must be capable of criticise her fairly as all other leaders.”

Ideological Background and Associations

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's the protégé of the late ex- 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 ruling party's most influential right-wing factions.

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

“I do feel that it is difficult for females to sort of identify with her success because it furthers this idea that we have to be obedient with the existing system,” 21-year-old a citizen says.

Ms Ogura agrees, saying that with her as a symbol for females in government, “the public are going to expect the same from women as well”.

“They will demand us to be compliant, not go against the ideals that they have, and it could render our role more difficult.”

Upcoming Obstacles and Expectations

Making history, however, was only the initial of the challenges Takaichi will encounter – not least addressing a slow growth and inflation and regaining the trust of a discontented and angry electorate, as in addition to welcoming the US leader within a short time of taking power.

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