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For many female youth in Japan currently, the sight of Sanae Takaichi assuming leadership as the country's inaugural female leader is powerful and influential.

It means a patriarchal society and a political system that has historically been controlled by men is currently headed by a woman.

But while the appearances speak of a forward-thinking era, certain females do not view her as an advocate for change.

It was rather interesting to observe how individuals outside Japan have reacted to the news,” 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 significant chance for women empowerment and equal rights in Japan’.

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

Instead, the young woman highlights her “ideological stance and what she stands for,” adding: “She perpetuates the patriarchal system.”

A big fan of Margaret Thatcher, Sanae Takaichi has always wanted to be the “Iron Lady” of her nation.

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

Analysts note her leadership is a tactical move from the ruling LDP to attract the more conservative 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 allow married couples to have different last names, preventing many women from retaining their birth surnames.

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 – saying she supports giving tax incentives to companies that provide daycare services to their employees and mentioned potential deductions for families spending on child-rearing.

Yet she has over the years backed the idea of a conventional role for females in society and in the family.

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

The Country's Gender Gap in Perspective

Women in Japan are some of the most highly educated and most skilled in the globe and yet they face challenges with the expectations of a traditional culture that still directs them into conventional positions.

According to the 2025 gender gap index by the global organization, Japan ranked 118th among 148 countries, with female representation in the political arena notably low.

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

The globally fourth biggest economy ranks at the bottom among the G7 countries when it comes to the share of women in its national parliament. In detail, women constitute about less than 16% of lawmakers in Japan, the lowest figure among the seven major economies.

It is even slow when it comes to female healthcare: only this week was it revealed that the “emergency” pill – a form of emergency contraception available without prescription in more than 90 nations – had at last been authorized for non-prescription sales in Japan.

Mixed Reactions to the Landmark Appointment

Nonetheless, some see Takaichi's rise to power as a pivotal moment that could alter how females perceive their prospects.

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

Koshi argued Japan electing a female prime minister will “lower mental obstacles” for females of all ages, enabling them to believe it is normal to “excel” as leaders in businesses and society, even as biased expectations and norms still remain.

However a 20-year-old points out that, while it is notable Japan has its first female prime minister, it is important to recall it took her more than 30 years to get to that position.

“Additionally, she is not really 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 pedestal just due to the fact she is a female.

“It is essential to make sure we're discussing her agenda. We must be capable of evaluate her equally as everyone else.”

Ideological Background and Associations

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

It's also evident by who her champions inside the party have been.

She's the protégé of the deceased former conservative prime minister Shinzo Abe, and was backed in the party vote by Taro Aso – a prominent member in the ruling party at the leadership of one of the government's most powerful right-wing factions.

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

“I believe that it is difficult for females to sort of identify with her achievement because it furthers this idea that we must be obedient with the status quo,” 21-year-old a citizen says.

Ms Ogura agrees, stating that with her as a symbol for females in government, “the public are likely to anticipate the identical from women as too”.

“They're going to expect us to be compliant, not oppose the ideals that they have, and it might make our role harder.”

Upcoming Challenges and Anticipations

Achieving this milestone, though, was just the first of the challenges Takaichi will face – including addressing a slow growth and inflation and winning back the confidence of a frustrated and irate voting public, as in addition to welcoming the US leader within a short time of assuming office.

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