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To numerous female youth in Japan today, the sight of Sanae Takaichi assuming leadership as the nation's inaugural female prime minister is impactful and influential.

This signifies a patriarchal society and a government structure that has long been dominated by men is currently headed by a woman.

However, although the optics speak of a progressive moment, certain females do not view her as an advocate for change.

It was rather interesting to observe how people outside Japan have responded to the announcement,” a 21-year-old states.

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

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

Instead, Ms Ogura highlights her “political beliefs and what she represents,” adding: “She perpetuates the male-dominated structure.”

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

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

Observers say her ascension is a tactical move from the governing Liberal Democratic Party to attract the increasingly right-leaning base which had recently gravitated towards Japan's parties further to the right.

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

She's also against women being in eligible for the throne in the imperial family.

Nonetheless, she moderated some of her statements during her election bid – stating she favours giving tax incentives to companies that offer childcare facilities to their staff and mentioned potential tax breaks for families spending on child-rearing.

But she has over the years backed the notion of a more traditional position for females in society and in the home.

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

The Country's Gender Gap in Perspective

Women in Japan are among the best educated and most skilled in the world and yet they face challenges with the expectations of a traditional culture that still pushes them into traditional roles.

Based on the 2025 gender gap index by the global organization, Japan placed 118th out of among 148 countries, with female representation in the political arena notably low.

Top roles have historically been held by males and Japan has struggled to increase the number of women legislators and corporate executives.

The world's fourth largest economic power ranks at the bottom among the G7 countries when it comes to the share of females in its national parliament. Specifically, females constitute about less than 16% of legislators in Japan, the smallest proportion among the seven major economies.

It is even slow when it comes to female healthcare: recently was it revealed that the “morning after” pill – a type 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 Reactions to the Historic Leadership

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

“It is highly meaningful in Ms Takaichi becoming prime minister, with a wider influence on the public,” Naomi Koshi – who became the country's youngest female mayor in 2012 – informed Japan's Kyodo news agency.

She contended Japan electing a woman prime minister will “lower mental obstacles” for females of all ages, helping them feel it is normal to “excel” as authorities in companies and the community, despite gender-based stereotypes and expectations still persist.

However Audrey Hill-Uekawa points out that, while it is notable Japan has its inaugural woman leader, one must remember it required her more than 30 years to reach that position.

“She's also not truly challenging the norm. She's saying the identical views as the male politicians.”

Ms Hill-Uekawa further states that she ought not be placed on a platform just due to the fact she is a woman.

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

Ideological Background and Influences

It is not just what Takaichi has said which has led people to label her as a defender of the patriarchy.

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

She was mentored of the deceased ex- hawkish prime minister Shinzo Abe, and was endorsed in the leadership election by a senior politician – a prominent member in the ruling party at the leadership of one of the ruling party's most powerful right-wing factions.

Their group's backing for Sanae Takaichi was crucial in uniting the conservative wing behind her.

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

The 21-year-old agrees, saying that with her as a symbol for women in politics, “the public are likely to anticipate the identical from us as well”.

“They will demand women to be conforming, not go against the beliefs that they have, and it might make our job more difficult.”

Future Obstacles and Expectations

Achieving this milestone, however, was just the first of the challenges Takaichi will encounter – not least addressing a sluggish economy and rising prices and winning back the trust of a discontented and irate electorate, as well as welcoming president Trump within a short time of assuming office.

One can reasonably assume that no-one expects gender equality issues to be a top priority on her priority list.