For many female youth in Japan currently, the image of Sanae Takaichi assuming leadership as the country's first ever woman leader is powerful and formative.
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 optics suggest a progressive moment, some women do not view her as an advocate for change.
“It was quite interesting to observe how individuals beyond Japan's borders have responded 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 great opportunity for female advancement and gender equality in Japan’.
In my opinion that's a rather simplistic view.”
Instead, Ms Ogura highlights her “political beliefs and what she stands for,” adding: “She perpetuates the patriarchal system.”
A big fan of Britain's first female prime minister, Sanae Takaichi has long aspired to be the “Steel Magnolia” of her nation.
Similar to Thatcher, Takaichi is a firm conservative.
Observers say her leadership is a strategic decision from the governing Liberal Democratic Party to attract the more conservative supporters which had recently gravitated towards Japan's parties further to the right.
Takaichi opposes same-sex marriage and has consistently voted against legislation that would permit married couples to have different last names, blocking many females from retaining their birth surnames.
She's also against females being in line for succession in the royal household.
Nonetheless, she moderated some of her messaging during her election bid – stating she favours giving tax incentives to companies that provide childcare facilities to their staff and spoke of possible deductions for households investing in childcare.
Yet she has over the years supported the notion of a more traditional role for women in society and in the home.
When it comes to gender matters, Takaichi is consistent with her nation's subpar performance on equality concerns.
The Country's Inequality in Perspective
Japanese women are among the most highly educated and highest qualified in the globe and yet they struggle with the demands of a traditional culture that still directs them into traditional roles.
Based on the 2025 gender gap index by the World Economic Forum, Japan ranked 118th among 148 nations, with female representation in the field of politics notably low.
Leadership positions have traditionally been dominated by males and Japan has struggled to increase the quantity of women legislators and business leaders.
The globally fourth biggest economic power places at the bottom among the G7 countries when it comes to the percentage of women in its legislative body. Specifically, women constitute about less than 16% 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 post-coital birth control sold over the counter in over ninety nations – had finally been approved for over the counter use in Japan.
Differing Responses to the Historic Appointment
Nonetheless, some see Takaichi's rise to power as a critical juncture that could change how women perceive their opportunities.
“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 mayor in 2012 – told Japan's Kyodo news agency.
She contended Japan having a female prime minister will “lower psychological barriers” for women and girls, helping them feel it is acceptable to “excel” as authorities in businesses and the community, despite biased expectations and expectations still persist.
However a 20-year-old notes that, while it is notable Japan has its first female leader, one must remember it took her over three decades to get to that office.
“Additionally, she is not really going against the grain. She's saying the same thing as the male politicians.”
Ms Hill-Uekawa further states that she shouldn't be put on a pedestal simply because she is a woman.
“It is essential to ensure we're talking about her agenda. We need to be capable of criticise her equally as everyone else.”
Ideological Background and Associations
It is not just what Takaichi has stated which has caused individuals to describe her as a supporter of the patriarchy.
It's also apparent by who her supporters inside the party have been.
She's the protégé of the late ex- conservative prime minister a previous leader, and was endorsed in the leadership election by a senior politician – a senior figure in the LDP at the head of one of the government's most powerful conservative blocs.
Their group's support for Sanae Takaichi was crucial in uniting the party's right wing behind her.
“I do feel that it is difficult for women to sort of relate to her achievement because it furthers this notion that we have to be obedient with the status quo,” young adult Minori Konishi remarks.
The 21-year-old concurs, stating that with her as a symbol for females in government, “people are likely to anticipate the identical from us as well”.
“They will demand us to be conforming, not go against the ideals that they hold, and it could render our job harder.”
Future Challenges and Expectations
Achieving this milestone, however, was just the first of the challenges Takaichi will face – including addressing a slow growth and inflation and winning back the trust of a discontented and irate electorate, as in addition to welcoming president Trump within days of assuming office.
One can reasonably assume that no-one expects women's rights matters to be high on her agenda.
