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

It means a male-oriented culture and a government structure that has long been dominated by men is now led by a woman.

But while the optics speak of a forward-thinking era, certain females don't see her as an champion of progress.

It was rather interesting to observe how individuals outside Japan have reacted to the announcement,” Ayda Ogura says.

People are saying, ‘wow, she's the inaugural woman prime minister in Japanese history and that would be a great opportunity for female advancement and equal rights in Japan’.

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

Instead, Ms Ogura points to her “ideological stance and what she stands for,” noting: “She reinforces the male-dominated structure.”

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

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

Analysts note her ascension is a tactical move from the ruling LDP to appeal to the increasingly right-leaning supporters which had recently gravitated towards Japan's parties further to the right.

The leader is against same-sex marriage and has consistently voted against laws that would allow married couples to have separate surnames, blocking many women from retaining their birth surnames.

Additionally, she is against women being in line for succession in the imperial family.

Nonetheless, she did soften certain her messaging during her campaign – saying she favours giving financial benefits to businesses that provide childcare facilities to their employees and spoke of possible tax breaks for families investing in child-rearing.

But she has over the years supported the notion of a more traditional position for females in society and in the home.

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

Japan's Inequality in Perspective

Women in Japan are among the best educated and highest qualified in the globe and yet they struggle with the demands of a traditional culture that still directs them into conventional positions.

Based on the 2025 gender gap index by the World Economic Forum, Japan ranked 118th among nearly 150 countries, with women's presence in the field of politics notably low.

Leadership positions have historically been held by males and Japan has faced difficulties to boost the quantity of female lawmakers and business leaders.

The globally fourth biggest economy places last among the Group of Seven nations when it comes to the percentage of females in its national parliament. Specifically, females constitute about 15.7% of legislators in Japan, the lowest figure among the G7.

It is even slow when it comes to women's reproductive health: recently was it announced that the “morning after” pill – a type of emergency contraception sold over the counter in more than 90 nations – had at last been authorized for over the counter use in Japan.

Mixed Responses to the Historic Leadership

Even so, some see Takaichi's ascent as a critical juncture that could change how women view their opportunities.

“It is highly meaningful in the new prime minister becoming prime minister, with a wider influence on society,” a former mayor – who became the nation's most youthful woman city leader in 2012 – informed local media.

Koshi argued Japan electing a female 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, despite gender-based stereotypes and expectations still persist.

But Audrey Hill-Uekawa points out that, while it is notable Japan has its inaugural woman leader, it is important to recall it took her more than 30 years to get to that office.

“She's also not really challenging the norm. She's saying the same thing as the men.”

The young woman adds that she shouldn't be put on a platform just due to the fact she is a female.

“It is essential to ensure we're discussing her policies. We must be able to criticise her fairly as everyone else.”

Ideological Background and Influences

It is not only 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 supporters within the LDP have been.

She's the protégé of the deceased ex- conservative prime minister a previous leader, and was backed in the party vote by a senior politician – a prominent member in the ruling party at the head of one of the ruling party's most influential conservative blocs.

His faction's backing for Sanae Takaichi was pivotal in consolidating the party's right wing behind her.

“I believe that it is difficult for women to sort of identify with her achievement because it furthers this idea that we must be compliant with the status quo,” young adult a citizen says.

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

“They're going to expect women to be compliant, not go against the ideals that they hold, and it might make our role more difficult.”

Upcoming Obstacles and Anticipations

Making history, though, was only the initial of the challenges Takaichi will face – not least tackling a sluggish economy and rising prices and regaining the confidence of a frustrated and angry voting public, as in addition to welcoming president Trump within days of assuming office.

It's safe to say that few anticipate women's rights matters to be a top priority on her agenda.