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

It means a male-oriented culture and a political system that has long been dominated by men is now led by a female.

However, although the optics suggest a progressive moment, some women do not view her as an champion of progress.

“It was quite interesting to observe how people beyond Japan's borders have reacted to the announcement,” Ayda Ogura says.

People are saying, ‘wow, she's the first female prime minister in the nation's past and that would be a great opportunity for female advancement and gender equality in Japan’.

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

Conversely, Ms Ogura highlights her “political beliefs and what she represents,” noting: “She reinforces the patriarchal system.”

A big fan of Britain's first female prime minister, Sanae Takaichi has long aspired to be the “Steel Magnolia” of her nation.

And like Thatcher, Takaichi is a staunch right-wing politician.

Analysts note her ascension is a strategic decision from the governing LDP to appeal to the increasingly right-leaning base which had recently gravitated towards Japan's parties further to the right.

The leader is against same-sex marriage and has long stood against laws that would permit spouses to have different last names, preventing many women from keeping 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 statements during her election bid – saying she favours giving financial benefits to companies that provide childcare facilities to their staff and mentioned potential tax breaks for families investing in childcare.

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

When it comes to women's issues, Takaichi is aligned with her country's less than impressive record on gender issues.

Japan's Inequality in Perspective

Women in Japan are among the most highly educated and highest qualified in the globe and yet they face challenges with the expectations of a traditional culture that still directs them into traditional roles.

Based on the 2025 gender gap index by the global organization, Japan placed 118th among 148 countries, with women's presence in the field of politics particularly minimal.

Leadership positions have historically been held by males and Japan has faced difficulties to increase the number of female lawmakers and business leaders.

The world's fourth largest economic power ranks last among the Group of Seven nations when it comes to the percentage of women in its legislative body. Specifically, women constitute about 15.7% of legislators in Japan, the lowest figure among the seven major economies.

It is even slow when it comes to female healthcare: recently was it revealed that the “emergency” pill – a type of emergency contraception sold over the counter in more than 90 nations – had at last been authorized for non-prescription sales in Japan.

Differing Reactions to the Landmark Leadership

Nonetheless, certain individuals view Takaichi's rise to power as a pivotal moment that could alter how women view their opportunities.

“There is great significance in the new prime minister becoming prime minister, with a wider influence on society,” Naomi Koshi – who was elected as the country's most youthful woman mayor in 2012 – informed local media.

Koshi argued Japan electing a woman prime minister will “lower psychological barriers” for women and girls, helping them feel it is acceptable to “stand out” as leaders in companies and society, even as gender-based stereotypes and norms still remain.

But Audrey Hill-Uekawa notes that, while it is remarkable Japan has its first female leader, it is important to recall it took her more than 30 years to get to that office.

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

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

Ideological Background and Influences

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

Additionally, it is apparent by which individuals her supporters within the LDP have been.

She's the protégé of the late former hawkish prime minister Shinzo Abe, and was endorsed 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 conservative wing behind her.

“I believe that it is difficult for females to somewhat relate to her success because it furthers this notion that we have to be compliant with the existing system,” 21-year-old a citizen says.

Ms Ogura concurs, stating that with her as a figurehead for women in politics, “the public are going to expect the identical from women as too”.

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

Future Challenges and Anticipations

Making history, though, was just the first of the challenges Takaichi will face – not least addressing a sluggish economy and inflation and winning back the confidence of a frustrated and irate electorate, as well as hosting the US leader within days of assuming office.

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