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To numerous female youth in Japan today, the sight of Sanae Takaichi assuming leadership as the country's first ever female leader is powerful and formative.

It means a male-oriented culture and a political system that has historically been controlled by men is now led by a woman.

However, although the optics suggest a forward-thinking era, some women don't see her as an advocate for change.

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

People are saying, ‘wow, she's the inaugural woman prime minister in the nation's past and that would be a great opportunity for female advancement and gender equality in Japan’.

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

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

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

Similar to Thatcher, Takaichi is a firm conservative.

Analysts note her leadership is a strategic decision from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party to appeal to the more conservative supporters which had lately shifted towards Japan's more extreme conservative groups.

Takaichi opposes same-sex marriage and has long stood against legislation that would allow married couples to have separate surnames, preventing many females from retaining their maiden names.

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

However, she did soften certain her messaging during her campaign – stating she favours giving tax incentives to businesses that provide childcare facilities to their employees and mentioned possible tax breaks for families investing in childcare.

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

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

Japan's Inequality in Context

Women in Japan are some of the most highly educated and highest qualified in the globe and yet they struggle with the demands of a conservative society that still directs them into traditional roles.

Based on the 2025 gender gap index by the World Economic Forum, Japan placed 118th among nearly 150 nations, with women's presence in the field of politics particularly minimal.

Top roles have historically been held by men and Japan has struggled to increase the quantity of women legislators and business leaders.

The world's fourth largest economic power ranks at the bottom among the Group of Seven nations when it comes to the share of females in its national parliament. In detail, women constitute about less than 16% of legislators in Japan, the lowest figure among the G7.

Progress is also sluggish when it comes to female healthcare: only this week was it announced that the “morning after” pill – a form of emergency contraception available without prescription in over ninety nations – had finally been approved for over the counter use in Japan.

Differing Responses to the Landmark Leadership

Nonetheless, certain individuals view Takaichi's rise to power as a pivotal moment that could alter how women view their prospects.

“It is highly meaningful in Ms Takaichi assuming the role of prime minister, with a wider influence on the public,” a former mayor – who was elected as the nation's most youthful woman mayor in 2012 – told Japan's Kyodo news agency.

Koshi argued Japan having a female prime minister will “lower psychological barriers” for women and girls, helping them feel it is acceptable to “excel” as authorities in companies and society, despite gender-based stereotypes and expectations still remain.

But Audrey Hill-Uekawa points out that, while it is notable Japan has its inaugural woman prime minister, one must remember it required her more than 30 years to get to that office.

“She's also not truly challenging the grain. She's saying the same thing as the men.”

Ms Hill-Uekawa adds that she shouldn't be put on a pedestal just due to the fact she is a female.

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

Ideological Context and Associations

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

Additionally, it is apparent by who her supporters inside the party have were.

She was mentored of the late former conservative prime minister Shinzo Abe, and was backed in the party vote by a senior politician – a senior figure in the LDP at the head of one of the ruling party's most powerful right-wing factions.

Their group's support for Sanae Takaichi was pivotal in consolidating 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 furthers this idea that we must be compliant with the existing system,” young adult a citizen remarks.

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

“They're going to expect us to be compliant, not oppose the beliefs that they hold, and it could render our job more difficult.”

Upcoming Obstacles and Expectations

Achieving this milestone, however, was only the initial of the difficulties Takaichi will face – including addressing a slow growth and rising prices and winning back the trust of a discontented and angry voting public, as in addition to welcoming the US leader within a short time of taking power.

It's safe to say that no-one expects gender equality issues to be a top priority on her priority list.