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To numerous female youth in Japan today, the sight of Sanae Takaichi taking the helm as the nation's inaugural woman prime minister is impactful and formative.

It means a male-oriented culture and a political system that has historically been controlled by men is currently headed by a woman.

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

It was rather interesting to see how individuals outside Japan have responded to the news,” a 21-year-old states.

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

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

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

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

And like Thatcher, Takaichi is a firm conservative.

Observers say her leadership is a tactical move from the governing LDP to attract the more conservative base which had recently gravitated towards Japan's more extreme conservative groups.

Takaichi opposes same-sex marriage and has consistently voted against legislation that would permit spouses to have different last names, preventing many females from retaining their birth surnames.

Additionally, she is against females being in line for succession in the imperial family.

However, she moderated some of her messaging during her campaign – saying she supports giving tax incentives to businesses that offer childcare facilities to their employees and mentioned potential deductions for families spending on childcare.

But she has historically supported the idea of a conventional role for women in society and in the family.

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

The Country's Gender Gap in Perspective

Japanese women are some of the best educated and highest qualified in the world 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 ranked 118th out of among nearly 150 nations, with women's presence in the political arena particularly minimal.

Leadership positions have traditionally been dominated by males and Japan has struggled to boost the quantity of female lawmakers and business leaders.

The globally fourth biggest economic power places last among the G7 countries when it comes to the share of females in its legislative body. In detail, women constitute about 15.7% of legislators in Japan, the lowest figure among the seven major economies.

Progress is also sluggish when it comes to women's reproductive health: only this week was it announced that the “morning after” pill – a type of post-coital birth control available without prescription in more than 90 nations – had finally been approved for non-prescription sales in Japan.

Differing Reactions to the Historic Leadership

Even so, some see Takaichi's ascent as a pivotal moment that could change how females view their prospects.

“There is great significance in Ms Takaichi assuming the role of prime minister, with a wider influence on society,” Naomi Koshi – who was elected as the country's most youthful woman mayor in 2012 – told local media.

Koshi argued Japan electing a female prime minister will “lower mental obstacles” for females of all ages, helping them feel it is acceptable to “excel” as leaders in companies and the community, despite gender-based stereotypes and norms still persist.

But Audrey Hill-Uekawa points out that, while it is notable Japan has its inaugural woman prime minister, it is important to recall it took her over three decades to get to that office.

“Additionally, she is not truly going against the grain. She's saying the identical views as the male politicians.”

Ms Hill-Uekawa adds that she shouldn't be put on a platform simply because she is a woman.

“It is essential to make sure we're discussing her policies. We need to be able to evaluate her fairly as all other leaders.”

Political Background and Associations

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

It's also evident by who her champions within the LDP have were.

She was mentored of the late ex- hawkish prime minister a previous leader, and was endorsed in the party vote by Taro Aso – a prominent member in the ruling party at the leadership of one of the ruling party's most influential right-wing factions.

His faction's support for Sanae Takaichi was pivotal in consolidating the conservative wing in her favor.

“I do feel that it is challenging for women to sort of identify with her achievement because it promotes this idea that we have to be obedient with the existing system,” young adult a citizen remarks.

Ms Ogura concurs, saying that with her as a figurehead for women in politics, “the public are likely to anticipate the same from women as too”.

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

Upcoming Obstacles and Anticipations

Making history, however, was just the first of the difficulties Takaichi will face – not least tackling a slow growth and rising prices and winning back the confidence of a frustrated and irate voting public, as well as welcoming the US leader within a short time of assuming office.

It's safe to say that few anticipate gender equality issues to be high on her agenda.