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To numerous female youth in Japan today, the sight of Sanae Takaichi taking the helm as the country's first ever woman leader is powerful and influential.

It means a male-oriented culture and a government structure that has historically been controlled by men is currently headed by a woman.

But while the optics suggest a forward-thinking era, some women do not view her as an advocate for change.

It was rather interesting to observe how people outside Japan have reacted to the news,” Ayda Ogura states.

People are saying, ‘wow, she's the inaugural woman prime minister in Japanese history and that would be a significant chance for female advancement and equal rights in Japan’.

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

Instead, the young woman highlights her “ideological stance and what she represents,” adding: “She reinforces the male-dominated structure.”

A big fan of Margaret Thatcher, Sanae Takaichi has always wanted to be the “Steel Magnolia” of her country.

Similar to Thatcher, Takaichi is a staunch conservative.

Observers say her ascension is a strategic decision from the governing Liberal Democratic Party to attract the more conservative base which had recently gravitated towards Japan's parties further to the right.

Takaichi opposes same-sex marriage and has long stood against legislation that would permit spouses to have different last names, preventing many women from retaining their maiden names.

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

Nonetheless, she did soften some of her messaging during her campaign – stating she favours giving tax incentives to companies that offer daycare services to their staff and mentioned possible deductions for households spending on child-rearing.

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

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

Japan's Inequality in Context

Japanese women are some of the most highly educated and highest qualified in the world and yet they struggle with the demands of a conservative society that still directs them into conventional positions.

Based on the 2025 equality ranking by the global organization, Japan placed 118th out of among nearly 150 countries, with female representation in the field of politics particularly minimal.

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

The world's fourth largest economy places last among the Group of Seven nations when it comes to the percentage of women in its national parliament. Specifically, women constitute about less than 16% of lawmakers in Japan, the smallest proportion among the seven major economies.

Progress is also sluggish when it comes to female healthcare: only this week was it announced that the “emergency” pill – a type of emergency contraception sold over the counter in more than 90 countries – had finally been approved for over the counter use in Japan.

Mixed Reactions to the Landmark Leadership

Even so, certain individuals view Takaichi's rise to power as a critical juncture that could change how females perceive their prospects.

“There is great significance in Ms Takaichi assuming the role of prime minister, with a wider influence on the public,” a former mayor – who became the country's youngest female city leader in 2012 – informed Japan's Kyodo news agency.

Koshi argued Japan electing a woman prime minister will “lower psychological barriers” for women and girls, enabling them to believe it is acceptable to “stand out” as leaders in companies and the community, even as gender-based stereotypes and expectations still persist.

However a 20-year-old points out that, while it is remarkable Japan has its first female leader, it is important to recall it took her over three decades to get to that office.

“Additionally, she is not truly challenging the norm. She's saying the same thing as the male politicians.”

Ms Hill-Uekawa 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 agenda. We need to be able to evaluate her fairly as everyone else.”

Ideological Context and Associations

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

Additionally, it is apparent by which individuals her champions inside the party have been.

She's the protégé of the late former conservative prime minister a previous leader, and was backed in the party vote by Taro Aso – a senior figure in the ruling party at the leadership of one of the ruling party's most influential conservative blocs.

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

“I do feel that it is challenging for females to somewhat relate to her achievement because it promotes this notion that we have to be obedient with the existing system,” 21-year-old Minori Konishi remarks.

Ms Ogura concurs, stating that with her as a symbol for women in government, “people are likely to anticipate the same from women as well”.

“They will demand women to be compliant, not oppose the beliefs that they have, and it could render our job more difficult.”

Upcoming Challenges and Anticipations

Making history, though, was just the first of the difficulties Takaichi will encounter – not least tackling a slow growth and rising prices and winning back the confidence of a discontented and irate voting public, as well as welcoming president Trump within a short time of taking power.

One can reasonably assume that few anticipate gender equality issues to be a top priority on her priority list.