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For many female youth in Japan currently, the sight of Sanae Takaichi taking the helm as the nation's first ever female prime minister is impactful and influential.

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

But while 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 people beyond Japan's borders have reacted to the announcement,” 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 women empowerment and equal rights in Japan’.

“I think that's a rather simplistic view.”

Instead, the young woman points to her “ideological stance and what she represents,” noting: “She perpetuates 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 firm conservative.

Analysts note her leadership is a tactical move from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party to attract the more conservative base which had lately shifted towards Japan's parties further to the right.

The leader is against marriage equality and has long stood against laws that would allow married couples to have different last names, preventing many females from keeping their birth surnames.

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

However, she did soften certain her messaging during her election bid – stating she supports giving tax incentives to businesses that provide childcare facilities to their staff and spoke of possible deductions for families spending on childcare.

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

When it comes to 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 most highly educated and most skilled in the world and yet they face challenges with the demands of a traditional culture that still pushes them into traditional roles.

According to the 2025 equality ranking by the World Economic Forum, Japan placed 118th out of among 148 countries, with women's presence in the field of politics notably low.

Leadership positions have historically been held by men and Japan has struggled to increase the quantity of female lawmakers and corporate executives.

The world's fourth largest economic power ranks last among the Group of Seven nations when it comes to the percentage of females in its legislative body. In detail, women constitute about 15.7% of lawmakers in Japan, the lowest figure among the G7.

Progress is also sluggish when it comes to female healthcare: recently was it revealed that the “morning after” pill – a form of post-coital birth control sold over the counter in more than 90 countries – had finally been approved for non-prescription sales in Japan.

Mixed Responses to the Landmark Appointment

Nonetheless, some see Takaichi's rise to power as a critical juncture that could alter how women perceive their opportunities.

“There is great significance in the new prime minister assuming the role of prime minister, with a wider influence on society,” a former mayor – who was elected as the nation's most youthful woman city leader in 2012 – informed local media.

She contended Japan having a female prime minister will “lower psychological barriers” for females of all ages, helping them feel it is acceptable to “excel” as leaders in companies and society, despite biased expectations and expectations still persist.

But Audrey Hill-Uekawa points out that, while it is remarkable Japan has its first female leader, one must remember it took her over three decades to reach that position.

“Additionally, she is not really 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 just due to the fact she is a woman.

“We need to make sure we're discussing her policies. We need to be capable of evaluate her equally as everyone else.”

Political Context and Influences

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

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

She's the protégé of the deceased ex- conservative prime minister a previous leader, and was backed in the leadership election by a senior politician – a senior figure in the ruling party at the head of one of the government's most influential conservative blocs.

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

“I do feel that it is difficult for females to somewhat identify with her achievement because it promotes this idea that we have to be obedient with the existing system,” young adult a citizen says.

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

“They're going to expect us to be compliant, not oppose the ideals that they have, and it could render our role more difficult.”

Upcoming Obstacles and Anticipations

Making history, however, was only the initial of the challenges Takaichi will face – including tackling a sluggish economy and inflation and regaining the confidence of a discontented and irate electorate, as well as hosting 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 high on her priority list.