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For many young girls in Japan currently, the image of Sanae Takaichi assuming leadership as the nation's first ever woman leader is impactful and formative.

It means a patriarchal society and a government structure that has long been dominated by men is currently headed by a female.

But while the appearances suggest a forward-thinking era, certain females do not view her as an champion of progress.

It was rather fascinating to observe how individuals beyond Japan's borders have reacted to the news,” Ayda Ogura says.

People are saying, ‘wow, she's the first female prime minister in the nation's past and that would be a significant chance 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 represents,” adding: “She reinforces the patriarchal system.”

A strong admirer of Britain's first female prime minister, Sanae Takaichi has long aspired to be the “Iron Lady” of her nation.

Similar to Thatcher, Takaichi is a staunch conservative.

Observers say her leadership is a strategic decision from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party to attract the more conservative supporters which had lately shifted towards Japan's parties further to the right.

The leader is against marriage equality and has consistently voted against laws that would permit married couples to have different last names, preventing many females from retaining their birth surnames.

Additionally, she is opposed to women being in line for succession in the royal household.

However, she did soften some of her messaging during her campaign – saying she supports giving tax incentives to businesses that offer daycare services to their staff and spoke of possible deductions for families investing in childcare.

But she has historically supported the idea of a more traditional role for females in society and in the family.

When it comes to women's issues, Takaichi is consistent with her nation's less than impressive performance on equality concerns.

Japan's Inequality in Perspective

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

Based on the 2025 gender gap index by the global organization, Japan ranked 118th among nearly 150 countries, with female representation in the political arena particularly minimal.

Leadership positions have traditionally been dominated by men and Japan has faced difficulties to increase the quantity of women legislators and corporate executives.

The world's fourth largest economic power places last among the G7 countries when it comes to the share of women in its legislative body. In detail, women make up about 15.7% of lawmakers in Japan, the lowest figure among the G7.

It is even slow when it comes to female healthcare: only this week was it announced that the “morning after” pill – a type of post-coital birth control available without prescription in over ninety countries – had at last been authorized for over the counter use in Japan.

Differing Reactions to the Historic Appointment

Nonetheless, some see Takaichi's rise to power as a critical juncture that could alter how women perceive their opportunities.

“There is great significance in Ms Takaichi becoming prime minister, with a wider influence on society,” Naomi Koshi – who was elected as the country's youngest female city leader in 2012 – told local media.

Koshi argued 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 authorities in companies and the community, despite biased expectations and expectations still persist.

However 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 more than 30 years to get to that position.

“Additionally, she is not really challenging the grain. She's saying the identical views as the male politicians.”

The young woman further states that she ought not be placed on a pedestal just due to the fact she is a female.

“It is essential to ensure we're discussing her agenda. We need to be able to evaluate her equally as all other leaders.”

Ideological Context 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.

Additionally, it is apparent by who her champions within the LDP have been.

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

Their group's backing for Sanae Takaichi was crucial in consolidating the conservative wing behind her.

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

The 21-year-old agrees, stating that with her as a figurehead for females in politics, “people are going to expect the identical from women as too”.

“They're going to expect us to be conforming, not go against the beliefs that they have, and it might make our role more difficult.”

Future Obstacles and Anticipations

Achieving this milestone, however, was only the initial of the challenges Takaichi will encounter – not least tackling a slow growth and rising prices and winning back the confidence of a discontented and irate electorate, as well as hosting the US leader within days of assuming office.

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