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To numerous young girls in Japan today, the image of Sanae Takaichi assuming leadership as the nation's inaugural female leader is impactful and formative.

This signifies a male-oriented culture and a political system that has historically been controlled by men is currently headed by a woman.

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

It was rather fascinating to see how individuals outside Japan have responded to the news,” Ayda Ogura says.

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

In my opinion that's a rather simplistic view.”

Conversely, Ms Ogura points to her “ideological stance and what she represents,” noting: “She perpetuates the patriarchal system.”

A strong admirer of Margaret Thatcher, Sanae Takaichi has long aspired to be the “Steel Magnolia” of her nation.

Similar to Thatcher, Takaichi is a staunch conservative.

Analysts note her ascension is a strategic decision from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party to attract the more conservative base which had lately shifted towards Japan's more extreme conservative groups.

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

Additionally, she is against females being in eligible for the throne in the royal household.

Nonetheless, she moderated some of her messaging during her election bid – saying she supports giving financial benefits to businesses that offer childcare facilities to their employees and mentioned potential deductions for households investing in child-rearing.

But she has historically supported the idea of a conventional position for women in society and in the family.

When it comes to women's issues, Takaichi is aligned with her nation's subpar record on equality concerns.

The Country's Inequality in Perspective

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

According to the 2025 gender gap index by the World Economic Forum, Japan ranked 118th among nearly 150 nations, with women's presence in the political arena notably low.

Top roles have historically been held by men and Japan has faced difficulties to boost the number of women legislators and corporate executives.

The world's fourth largest economic power places last among the Group of Seven nations when it comes to the share of females in its national parliament. In detail, females make up about 15.7% of legislators in Japan, the lowest figure among the seven major economies.

Progress is also sluggish when it comes to women's reproductive health: only this week was it revealed that the “morning after” pill – a type of emergency contraception available without prescription in more than 90 countries – had at last been authorized for non-prescription sales in Japan.

Mixed Responses to the Landmark Appointment

Nonetheless, some see Takaichi's rise to power as a critical juncture that could change how women view their prospects.

“It is highly meaningful in Ms Takaichi assuming the role of prime minister, with a broader impact on the public,” Naomi Koshi – who was elected as the nation's youngest female city leader in 2012 – told Japan's Kyodo news agency.

She contended Japan electing a woman prime minister will “lower psychological barriers” for females of all ages, helping them feel it is normal to “stand out” as leaders in companies and society, despite gender-based stereotypes and expectations still persist.

However a 20-year-old notes that, while it is notable Japan has its inaugural woman prime minister, it is important to recall it took her more than 30 years to reach that office.

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

Ms Hill-Uekawa adds that she shouldn't be put on a platform just due to the fact she is a female.

“We need to make sure we're discussing her policies. We need to be able to evaluate her equally as all other leaders.”

Political Background and Influences

It is not only what Takaichi has said which has caused individuals to describe her as a defender of the patriarchy.

It's also evident by who her champions within the LDP have been.

She was mentored of the deceased 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 leadership of one of the ruling party's most influential conservative blocs.

His faction's support 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 success because it furthers this notion that we have to be obedient with the existing system,” 21-year-old a citizen remarks.

Ms Ogura concurs, saying that with her as a symbol for women in politics, “people are going to expect the same from us as well”.

“They're going to expect women to be compliant, not oppose the beliefs that they hold, and it might make our job more difficult.”

Future Challenges and Anticipations

Making history, however, was only the initial of the difficulties Takaichi will encounter – including tackling a slow growth and rising prices and winning back the confidence of a discontented and angry voting public, as well as welcoming president Trump within a short time of taking power.

One can reasonably assume that few anticipate women's rights matters to be a top priority on her agenda.