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For many female youth in Japan currently, the image of Sanae Takaichi assuming leadership as the nation's inaugural female prime minister is impactful and formative.

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

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

It was rather interesting to see how people beyond Japan's borders have responded to the news,” Ayda Ogura says.

“Everyone's like, ‘wow, she's the first female prime minister in the nation's past and that would be a significant chance for women empowerment and gender equality in Japan’.

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

Instead, the young woman highlights her “ideological stance and what she stands for,” adding: “She perpetuates 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 firm 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 lately shifted towards Japan's parties further to the right.

Takaichi opposes marriage equality and has consistently voted against laws that would permit married couples to have separate surnames, blocking many women from retaining their birth surnames.

She's also opposed to females being in line for succession in the imperial family.

However, she did soften certain her messaging during her campaign – stating she supports giving financial benefits to companies that offer childcare facilities to their employees and spoke of potential deductions for households spending on childcare.

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

Regarding women's issues, Takaichi is aligned with her country's subpar performance on equality concerns.

Japan's Inequality in Context

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

According to the 2025 equality ranking by the global organization, Japan ranked 118th out of among 148 nations, with female representation in the political arena notably low.

Leadership positions have historically been held by men and Japan has faced difficulties to increase the quantity of female lawmakers and corporate executives.

The world's fourth largest economic power ranks last among the G7 countries when it comes to the percentage of women in its legislative body. Specifically, females make up about less than 16% of legislators in Japan, the lowest figure among the G7.

It is even slow 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 nations – had finally been approved for non-prescription sales in Japan.

Differing Responses to the Landmark Leadership

Even so, some see Takaichi's ascent as a pivotal moment that could alter how women view their opportunities.

“It is highly meaningful in the new prime minister assuming the role of prime minister, with a wider influence on society,” a former mayor – who was elected as the nation's most youthful woman mayor in 2012 – informed local media.

Koshi argued Japan electing a female prime minister will “lower psychological barriers” for females of all ages, helping them feel it is acceptable to “excel” as leaders in companies and society, even as biased expectations and expectations still persist.

But Audrey Hill-Uekawa points out that, while it is notable Japan has its inaugural woman prime minister, it is important to recall it required her over three decades to get to that office.

“Additionally, she is not really challenging the grain. She's saying the same thing as the men.”

The young woman further states that she ought not be placed on a pedestal simply because she is a female.

“We need to ensure we're discussing her agenda. We must be capable of criticise her fairly as everyone else.”

Ideological Background and Associations

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

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

She was mentored of the late ex- conservative prime minister a previous leader, and was backed in the party vote by Taro Aso – a prominent member in the ruling party at the leadership of one of the ruling party's most powerful conservative blocs.

His faction's backing for Sanae Takaichi was pivotal in uniting the conservative wing behind her.

“I believe that it is challenging for women to sort of relate to her success because it promotes this notion that we have to be obedient with the existing system,” 21-year-old Minori Konishi remarks.

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

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

Upcoming Challenges and Anticipations

Making history, however, was just the first of the challenges Takaichi will encounter – not least tackling a sluggish economy and inflation and winning back the trust of a discontented and irate electorate, as well as hosting the US leader within a short time of taking power.

It's safe to say that no-one expects women's rights matters to be a top priority on her priority list.