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To numerous female youth in Japan currently, the image of Sanae Takaichi taking the helm as the nation's inaugural woman leader is powerful and influential.

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

But while the optics speak of a progressive moment, some women do not view her as an champion of progress.

“It was quite fascinating to see how individuals outside Japan have reacted to the announcement,” a 21-year-old says.

People are saying, ‘wow, she's the first female prime minister in Japanese history and that would be a great opportunity for women empowerment and gender equality in Japan’.

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

Conversely, Ms Ogura points to her “political beliefs and what she represents,” adding: “She reinforces the patriarchal system.”

A strong admirer of Margaret Thatcher, Sanae Takaichi has long aspired to be the “Steel Magnolia” of her country.

Similar to Thatcher, Takaichi is a firm right-wing politician.

Observers say her ascension is a tactical move from the ruling LDP to attract the increasingly right-leaning base which had recently gravitated towards Japan's more extreme conservative groups.

The leader is against same-sex marriage and has consistently voted against laws that would permit spouses to have different last names, preventing many women from retaining their birth surnames.

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

However, she did soften certain her statements during her campaign – saying she supports giving tax incentives to businesses that offer daycare services to their employees and spoke of possible deductions for families investing in childcare.

Yet she has over the years supported the idea of a more traditional role for women in society and in the family.

Regarding gender matters, Takaichi is consistent with her nation's subpar performance on equality concerns.

The Country's Gender Gap in Context

Women in Japan are among 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.

Based on the 2025 equality ranking by the World Economic Forum, Japan placed 118th among nearly 150 countries, with women's presence in the political arena particularly minimal.

Top roles have historically been held by men and Japan has faced difficulties to increase the quantity of female lawmakers and business leaders.

The globally fourth biggest economy ranks last among the G7 countries when it comes to the percentage of females in its national parliament. Specifically, women constitute about 15.7% of legislators in Japan, the smallest proportion among the G7.

It is even slow when it comes to women's reproductive health: recently was it revealed that the “emergency” pill – a form of emergency contraception sold over the counter in over ninety countries – had finally been approved for over the counter use in Japan.

Mixed Responses to the Historic Leadership

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

“There is great significance in Ms Takaichi becoming 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 electing a woman prime minister will “lower mental obstacles” for women and girls, enabling them to believe it is acceptable to “excel” as authorities in businesses and society, even as biased expectations and expectations still remain.

However a 20-year-old notes that, while it is notable Japan has its inaugural woman leader, one must remember it took her over three decades to reach that position.

“She's also not really going against the norm. She expresses the identical views as the male politicians.”

The young woman further states that she shouldn't be put on a platform simply because she is a female.

“We need to make sure we're talking about her agenda. 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 caused individuals to describe her as a supporter of the male-dominated system.

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

She was mentored of the late ex- hawkish prime minister Shinzo Abe, and was endorsed in the party vote by a senior politician – a senior figure in the ruling party at the head of one of the ruling party's most powerful conservative blocs.

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

“I do feel that it is challenging for women to sort of identify with her achievement because it furthers this idea that we must be obedient with the existing system,” young adult a citizen says.

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

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

Future Obstacles and Expectations

Making history, though, was only the initial of the challenges Takaichi will encounter – not least tackling a sluggish economy and inflation and regaining the trust of a frustrated and angry electorate, as in addition to hosting the US leader within a short time of assuming office.

It's safe to say that few anticipate gender equality issues to be high on her priority list.