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To numerous female youth in Japan currently, the image of Sanae Takaichi taking the helm as the nation's first ever woman leader is impactful and influential.

It means a male-oriented culture and a government structure that has long been dominated by men is currently headed by a woman.

But while the optics suggest a progressive moment, some women do not view her as an advocate for change.

“It was quite fascinating to observe how individuals beyond Japan's borders have responded to the news,” Ayda Ogura says.

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

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

Instead, the young woman highlights her “ideological stance and what she represents,” adding: “She reinforces 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 country.

Similar to Thatcher, Takaichi is a staunch right-wing politician.

Observers say her leadership is a tactical move from the governing LDP to attract the more conservative supporters which had recently gravitated towards Japan's parties further to the right.

The leader is against marriage equality and has consistently voted against laws that would permit spouses to have different last names, preventing many women from keeping their birth surnames.

Additionally, she is opposed to women being in line for succession in the royal household.

However, she moderated certain her statements during her election bid – stating she favours giving financial benefits to companies that provide daycare services to their employees and mentioned potential deductions for families spending on childcare.

Yet she has over the years backed the notion of a conventional position for women in the community and in the home.

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

The Country's Inequality in Perspective

Women in Japan are among the most highly educated and most skilled in the globe and yet they face challenges with the demands of a traditional culture that still directs them into conventional positions.

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 particularly minimal.

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

The globally fourth biggest economic power ranks last among the Group of Seven nations when it comes to the percentage of females in its legislative body. Specifically, women make up about less than 16% of legislators in Japan, the smallest proportion among the seven major economies.

It is even slow when it comes to women's reproductive health: only this week was it announced that the “emergency” pill – a type of post-coital birth control available without prescription in over ninety countries – had at last been authorized for non-prescription sales in Japan.

Mixed Responses to the Landmark Appointment

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

“There is great significance in the new prime minister becoming prime minister, with a broader impact on the public,” Naomi Koshi – who became the nation's youngest female city leader in 2012 – informed local media.

Koshi argued Japan electing a female 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 the community, despite biased expectations and expectations still remain.

However Audrey Hill-Uekawa notes that, while it is notable Japan has its first female leader, it is important to recall it required her over three decades to get to that position.

“Additionally, she is not truly challenging the grain. 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 woman.

“We need to ensure we're discussing her agenda. We need to be capable of evaluate her equally as all other leaders.”

Political Background and Associations

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

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

She's the protégé of the deceased ex- hawkish prime minister Shinzo Abe, and was backed in the party vote by Taro Aso – a senior figure in the LDP at the leadership of one of the government's most influential conservative blocs.

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

“I do feel that it is difficult for women to sort of identify with her achievement because it promotes this idea that we must be obedient with the status quo,” young adult Minori Konishi remarks.

Ms Ogura concurs, saying that with her as a symbol for women in government, “people are going to expect the identical from us as too”.

“They're going to expect us to be conforming, not oppose the beliefs that they hold, and it might make our role more difficult.”

Upcoming Challenges and Anticipations

Achieving this milestone, however, was just the first of the difficulties Takaichi will encounter – including addressing a slow growth and rising prices and winning back the confidence of a discontented and angry electorate, as well as welcoming president Trump within a short time of assuming office.

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