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For many female youth in Japan today, the sight of Sanae Takaichi taking the helm as the country'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 female.

However, although the appearances suggest a forward-thinking era, certain females do not view her as an champion of progress.

It was rather fascinating to observe how individuals 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 Japanese history and that would be a significant chance for female advancement and gender equality in Japan’.

In my opinion that's a very naive view.”

Instead, the young woman highlights her “political beliefs and what she stands for,” noting: “She perpetuates the male-dominated structure.”

A strong admirer of Margaret Thatcher, Sanae Takaichi has always wanted to be the “Iron Lady” of her nation.

And like Thatcher, Takaichi is a staunch conservative.

Analysts note her ascension is a tactical move from the governing Liberal Democratic Party to attract the increasingly right-leaning supporters which had lately shifted towards Japan's parties further to the right.

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

Additionally, she is against women being in eligible for the throne in the imperial family.

Nonetheless, she moderated some of her statements during her election bid – saying she supports giving tax incentives to companies that provide daycare services to their employees and mentioned potential tax breaks for families spending on child-rearing.

Yet she has historically supported the idea of a more traditional position for females in the community and in the family.

When it comes to gender matters, Takaichi is consistent with her nation's less than impressive performance on gender issues.

Japan's Inequality in Perspective

Japanese women are among the best educated and most skilled in the globe and yet they face challenges with the expectations of a conservative society that still pushes them into traditional roles.

According to the 2025 equality ranking by the global organization, Japan ranked 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 globally fourth biggest economy ranks last among the G7 countries when it comes to the share of females in its legislative body. Specifically, females make up about less than 16% of lawmakers in Japan, the lowest figure among the G7.

Progress is also sluggish when it comes to female healthcare: only this week was it revealed that the “emergency” pill – a type of emergency contraception available without prescription in over ninety nations – had at last been authorized for non-prescription sales in Japan.

Differing Responses to the Landmark Appointment

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

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

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

But a 20-year-old notes that, while it is remarkable Japan has its inaugural woman prime minister, one must remember it required her over three decades to get to that office.

“She's also not really going against the norm. She expresses the identical views as the men.”

The young woman adds that she shouldn't be put on a platform just due to the fact she is a female.

“We need to ensure we're discussing her policies. We must be able to evaluate her equally as everyone else.”

Ideological Context and Associations

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

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

She's the protégé of the deceased former hawkish prime minister a previous leader, and was endorsed in the party vote by a senior politician – a prominent member in the LDP at the head of one of the government's most influential right-wing factions.

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

“I believe that it is difficult for females to sort of relate to her achievement because it promotes this idea that we have to be compliant with the status quo,” 21-year-old Minori Konishi says.

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

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

Future Obstacles and Expectations

Achieving this milestone, though, was just the first of the difficulties Takaichi will face – including addressing a slow growth and inflation and regaining the confidence of a frustrated and irate voting public, 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 a top priority on her agenda.