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

It means a male-oriented culture and a political system that has historically been controlled by men is currently headed by a female.

However, although the appearances speak of a progressive moment, certain females don't see her as an champion of progress.

“It was quite fascinating to observe how individuals beyond Japan's borders have reacted to the news,” a 21-year-old says.

People are saying, ‘wow, she's the inaugural woman prime minister in Japanese history and that would be a significant chance for women empowerment and gender equality in Japan’.

“I think that's a very naive view.”

Conversely, the young woman highlights her “political beliefs and what she stands for,” adding: “She reinforces the male-dominated structure.”

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

And like Thatcher, Takaichi is a firm conservative.

Analysts note her ascension is a tactical move from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party to attract the increasingly right-leaning base which had lately shifted 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 separate surnames, blocking many women from keeping their birth surnames.

Additionally, she is against females being in line for succession in the royal household.

However, she moderated some of her statements during her campaign – stating she favours giving tax incentives to businesses that provide childcare facilities to their staff and mentioned possible tax breaks for households investing in childcare.

Yet she has over the years backed the notion of a more traditional role for women in the community and in the family.

When it comes to gender matters, Takaichi is aligned with her country's less than impressive record on gender issues.

Japan's Inequality in Perspective

Japanese women are among the most highly educated and most skilled in the world and yet they struggle with the expectations of a conservative society that still pushes them into traditional roles.

Based on the 2025 equality ranking by the World Economic Forum, Japan ranked 118th among 148 nations, with women's presence in the field of politics particularly minimal.

Top roles have traditionally been dominated by males and Japan has faced difficulties to boost the number of female lawmakers and business leaders.

The world's fourth largest economy ranks at the bottom among the Group of Seven nations when it comes to the percentage of females in its legislative body. In detail, females 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: recently was it revealed that the “emergency” pill – a form of post-coital birth control sold over the counter in more than 90 nations – had finally been approved for non-prescription sales in Japan.

Mixed Responses to the Landmark Leadership

Nonetheless, some see Takaichi's ascent as a pivotal moment that could alter how women view their prospects.

“It is highly meaningful in the new prime minister becoming prime minister, with a broader impact on the public,” a former mayor – who became the nation's most youthful woman mayor in 2012 – informed Japan's Kyodo news agency.

Koshi argued Japan having a woman prime minister will “reduce psychological barriers” for females of all ages, helping them feel it is normal to “stand out” as authorities in companies and the community, despite gender-based stereotypes and norms still remain.

However Audrey Hill-Uekawa notes that, while it is notable Japan has its first female prime minister, it is important to recall it took her over three decades to reach that office.

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

Ms Hill-Uekawa further states that she shouldn't be put on a platform simply because she is a female.

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

Political Background and Associations

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

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

She's the protégé of the deceased former conservative prime minister Shinzo Abe, and was backed in the leadership election by a senior politician – a prominent member in the LDP at the head of one of the ruling party's most powerful conservative blocs.

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

“I believe that it is challenging for women to sort of relate to her success because it furthers this notion that we must be compliant with the status quo,” 21-year-old a citizen says.

The 21-year-old agrees, stating that with her as a figurehead for females in government, “people are going to expect the same from us as well”.

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

Future Obstacles and Anticipations

Making history, though, was only the initial of the challenges Takaichi will face – including addressing a sluggish economy and rising prices and regaining the trust of a discontented and irate electorate, as in addition to hosting the US leader within days of taking power.

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