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

This signifies a patriarchal society and a political system that has long been dominated by men is currently headed by a woman.

But while the appearances suggest a progressive moment, some women don't see her as an advocate for change.

It was rather interesting to see how individuals beyond Japan's borders have reacted to the announcement,” a 21-year-old says.

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

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

Conversely, Ms Ogura highlights her “political beliefs and what she stands for,” noting: “She perpetuates the male-dominated structure.”

A big fan of Britain's first female prime minister, Sanae Takaichi has long aspired to be the “Steel Magnolia” of her nation.

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

Analysts note her ascension is a strategic decision from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party to attract the increasingly right-leaning base which had recently gravitated towards Japan's more extreme conservative groups.

Takaichi opposes same-sex marriage and has consistently voted against laws that would allow married couples to have separate surnames, preventing many women from retaining their birth surnames.

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

Nonetheless, she moderated certain her statements during her campaign – stating she supports giving tax incentives to businesses that provide childcare facilities to their staff and spoke of potential deductions for families investing in childcare.

Yet she has over the years backed the idea of a more traditional position for women in the community and in the home.

Regarding women's issues, Takaichi is aligned with her nation's less than impressive record on equality concerns.

The Country's Inequality in Perspective

Japanese women are some of the best educated and most skilled in the globe and yet they face challenges with the expectations of a traditional culture that still pushes them into conventional positions.

Based on the 2025 gender gap index by the World Economic Forum, Japan ranked 118th among 148 countries, with female representation in the field of politics notably low.

Top roles have traditionally been dominated by males and Japan has struggled to boost the quantity of women legislators and corporate executives.

The globally fourth biggest economy places at the bottom among the Group of Seven nations when it comes to the percentage of females in its legislative body. Specifically, females make up about less than 16% of legislators in Japan, the smallest proportion among the G7.

It is even slow when it comes to women's reproductive health: only this week was it revealed that the “emergency” pill – a type of emergency contraception available without prescription in over ninety nations – had at last been authorized for non-prescription sales in Japan.

Differing Responses to the Historic Appointment

Even so, 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 the public,” a former mayor – who became the nation's most youthful woman city leader in 2012 – informed Japan's Kyodo news agency.

Koshi argued Japan having a female 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 society, even as gender-based stereotypes and norms still persist.

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

“Additionally, she is not truly going against the grain. She's saying the identical views as the men.”

The young woman further states that she shouldn't be put on a platform simply because she is a woman.

“We need to ensure we're discussing her agenda. We must be able to criticise her fairly as all other leaders.”

Political Background and Associations

It is not just what Takaichi has stated which has led people to label her as a supporter of the patriarchy.

It's also apparent by who her supporters inside the party have were.

She's the protégé of the late ex- conservative prime minister Shinzo Abe, and was backed 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.

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

“I believe that it is difficult for females to somewhat relate to her success because it promotes this notion that we have to be compliant with the existing system,” 21-year-old a citizen says.

Ms Ogura concurs, stating that with her as a figurehead for women in government, “people are going to expect the identical from us as too”.

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

Future Obstacles and Expectations

Making history, however, was only the initial of the difficulties Takaichi will encounter – including addressing a sluggish economy and inflation and regaining the trust of a frustrated and angry voting public, as well as welcoming the US leader within days of assuming office.

One can reasonably assume that few anticipate gender equality issues to be a top priority on her agenda.