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

It means a patriarchal society and a political system that has historically been controlled by men is now led by a woman.

But while the appearances suggest a forward-thinking era, certain females don't see her as an champion of progress.

“It was quite interesting to observe how individuals outside Japan have reacted to the news,” Ayda Ogura states.

“Everyone's like, ‘wow, she's the inaugural woman prime minister in Japanese history and that would be a great opportunity for women empowerment and gender equality in Japan’.

“I think that's a very naive interpretation.”

Conversely, Ms Ogura highlights her “ideological stance and what she represents,” noting: “She reinforces the male-dominated structure.”

A strong admirer 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 conservative.

Observers say her ascension is a strategic decision from the ruling LDP to appeal to the increasingly right-leaning supporters which had recently gravitated towards Japan's parties further to the right.

The leader is against marriage equality and has consistently voted against laws that would permit married couples to have separate surnames, blocking many females from keeping their birth surnames.

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

Nonetheless, she moderated certain her messaging during her election bid – stating she supports giving financial benefits to companies that provide childcare facilities to their employees and mentioned possible tax breaks for families investing in childcare.

Yet she has historically supported the notion of a more traditional role for females in society and in the home.

Regarding women's issues, Takaichi is aligned with her nation's less than impressive record on gender issues.

The Country's Gender Gap in Perspective

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 traditional roles.

According to the 2025 gender gap index by the global organization, Japan ranked 118th among 148 nations, with female representation in the field of politics notably low.

Leadership positions have historically been held by males and Japan has struggled to boost the number of female lawmakers and corporate executives.

The globally fourth biggest economic power places at the bottom among the G7 countries when it comes to the share of females in its legislative body. In detail, 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 women's reproductive health: only this week was it announced that the “morning after” pill – a type of emergency contraception available without prescription in over ninety countries – had finally been approved for over the counter use in Japan.

Differing Responses to the Landmark Appointment

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

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

She contended Japan electing a female prime minister will “lower psychological barriers” for females of all ages, helping them feel it is acceptable to “excel” as authorities in companies and society, even as gender-based stereotypes and expectations still remain.

However a 20-year-old points out that, while it is remarkable Japan has its first female leader, it is important to recall it required her more than 30 years to get to that office.

“She's also not truly going against the grain. She's saying the identical views as the male politicians.”

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

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

Political Context and Associations

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

It's also apparent by who her champions within the LDP have been.

She's the protégé of the late ex- conservative prime minister Shinzo Abe, and was backed in the leadership election by Taro Aso – a prominent member in the ruling party at the leadership of one of the ruling party's most powerful right-wing factions.

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

“I do feel that it is challenging for females to sort of relate to her achievement because it promotes this notion that we have to be compliant with the existing system,” young adult a citizen says.

Ms Ogura agrees, stating that with her as a symbol for females in government, “people are going to expect the identical from us as well”.

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

Upcoming Obstacles and Expectations

Making history, however, was just the first of the difficulties Takaichi will face – not least addressing a slow growth and rising prices and winning back the trust of a frustrated and angry voting public, as in addition to welcoming president Trump 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 priority list.