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For many female youth in Japan currently, the image of Sanae Takaichi assuming leadership as the country's first ever female prime minister is powerful and influential.

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

But while the optics speak of a progressive moment, some women don't see her as an champion of progress.

It was rather interesting to see how individuals outside Japan have reacted to the announcement,” a 21-year-old states.

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

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

Conversely, Ms Ogura points to her “ideological stance and what she represents,” adding: “She reinforces the male-dominated structure.”

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

Similar to Thatcher, Takaichi is a firm conservative.

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

Takaichi opposes same-sex marriage and has long stood against legislation that would permit spouses to have different last names, blocking many women from retaining their birth surnames.

Additionally, she is against females being in eligible for the throne in the imperial family.

However, she did soften certain her statements during her campaign – saying she favours giving tax incentives to businesses that offer daycare services to their employees and mentioned potential tax breaks for families spending on child-rearing.

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

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

The Country's Gender Gap in Context

Japanese women are among the best educated and most skilled 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 global organization, Japan placed 118th among 148 nations, with women's presence in the field of politics notably low.

Leadership positions have traditionally been dominated by males and Japan has struggled to boost the number of women legislators and corporate executives.

The world's fourth largest economy places at the bottom among the G7 countries when it comes to the percentage of females in its national parliament. In detail, females constitute about 15.7% of legislators in Japan, the smallest proportion among the G7.

Progress is also sluggish when it comes to female healthcare: recently was it announced that the “morning after” pill – a type of emergency contraception sold over the counter in more than 90 nations – had finally been approved for over the counter use in Japan.

Differing Responses to the Historic Leadership

Even so, some see Takaichi's rise to power as a pivotal moment that could change how females perceive their opportunities.

“There is great significance in Ms Takaichi assuming the role of prime minister, with a broader impact on society,” Naomi Koshi – who was elected as the nation's most youthful woman mayor in 2012 – informed local media.

She contended Japan electing a woman prime minister will “reduce mental obstacles” for females of all ages, enabling them to believe it is acceptable to “excel” as leaders in companies and the community, even as gender-based stereotypes and norms still remain.

But a 20-year-old points out that, while it is remarkable Japan has its inaugural woman prime minister, it is important to recall it required her over three decades to get to that position.

“She's also not truly going against the grain. She expresses 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 ensure we're talking about her agenda. We must be capable of evaluate her equally as all other leaders.”

Political Background and Influences

It is not just what Takaichi has stated 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 were.

She's the protégé of the deceased ex- conservative prime minister Shinzo Abe, and was endorsed in the leadership election by a senior politician – a senior figure 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 crucial in uniting the party's right wing behind her.

“I do feel that it is difficult for females to somewhat identify with her achievement because it furthers this notion that we have to be compliant with the existing system,” young adult a citizen says.

Ms Ogura concurs, stating that with her as a figurehead for women in politics, “the public are likely to anticipate the identical from women as well”.

“They will demand us to be compliant, not oppose the beliefs that they hold, and it could render our role harder.”

Future Challenges and Expectations

Making history, however, was only the initial of the difficulties Takaichi will encounter – not least tackling a sluggish economy and inflation and winning back the confidence of a discontented and irate electorate, as in addition to hosting the US leader within days of assuming office.

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