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For many female youth in Japan today, the sight of Sanae Takaichi assuming leadership as the nation's inaugural woman leader is impactful and formative.

This signifies a patriarchal society and a political system that has long been dominated by men is now led by a woman.

However, although the optics suggest a progressive moment, certain females don't see her as an advocate for change.

“It was quite interesting to observe how individuals outside Japan 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 great opportunity for women empowerment and equal rights in Japan’.

“I think that's a very naive view.”

Instead, the young woman points to her “ideological stance and what she stands for,” adding: “She reinforces the male-dominated structure.”

A big fan of Margaret Thatcher, Sanae Takaichi has always wanted to be the “Steel Magnolia” of her nation.

Similar to Thatcher, Takaichi is a staunch conservative.

Analysts note her leadership is a tactical move from the ruling LDP to appeal to the more conservative supporters which had lately shifted towards Japan's parties further to the right.

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

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

However, she did soften some of her messaging during her campaign – stating she favours giving financial benefits to businesses that offer childcare facilities to their staff and mentioned potential deductions for households spending on childcare.

Yet she has historically supported the notion of a more traditional role for women in the community and in the family.

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

Japan's Inequality in Context

Women in Japan are some of the best educated and highest qualified in the globe and yet they struggle with the expectations of a conservative society that still directs them into conventional positions.

According to the 2025 gender gap index by the global organization, Japan placed 118th out of among 148 nations, with female representation in the field of politics particularly minimal.

Top roles have traditionally been dominated by men and Japan has struggled to boost the number of women legislators and corporate executives.

The world's fourth largest economy ranks at the bottom among the G7 countries when it comes to the share of women in its national parliament. In detail, females make up about 15.7% of legislators in Japan, the lowest figure among the G7.

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

Differing Responses to the Historic Appointment

Even so, some see Takaichi's rise to power as a critical juncture that could change how females perceive their opportunities.

“It is highly meaningful in Ms Takaichi becoming prime minister, with a broader impact on society,” a former mayor – who was elected as the country's youngest female mayor in 2012 – told local media.

Koshi argued Japan having a female prime minister will “reduce mental obstacles” for women and girls, helping them feel it is normal to “stand out” as authorities in businesses and society, even as gender-based stereotypes and expectations still remain.

However a 20-year-old notes that, while it is remarkable Japan has its inaugural woman leader, it is important to recall it took her more than 30 years to reach that office.

“Additionally, she is not really challenging the norm. She expresses the identical views as the male politicians.”

The young woman adds that she ought not be placed on a pedestal just due to the fact she is a woman.

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

Ideological Background and Associations

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

It's also apparent by who her champions inside the party have been.

She's the protégé of the deceased former hawkish prime minister a previous leader, and was endorsed in the leadership election by Taro Aso – a prominent member in the LDP at the leadership of one of the ruling party's most influential right-wing factions.

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

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

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

“They're going to expect women to be conforming, not oppose the beliefs that they hold, and it could render our role harder.”

Future Obstacles and Expectations

Making history, though, was just the first of the challenges Takaichi will face – including tackling a sluggish economy and rising prices and winning back the confidence of a frustrated and irate electorate, as well as welcoming the US leader within a short time of assuming office.

One can reasonably assume that few anticipate gender equality issues to be a top priority on her priority list.