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For many young girls in Japan currently, the sight of Sanae Takaichi assuming leadership as the country's inaugural woman leader is powerful and influential.

This signifies a patriarchal society and a political system that has historically been controlled by men is currently headed by a female.

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

“It was quite fascinating 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’.

“I think that's a rather simplistic interpretation.”

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

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 leadership is a strategic decision from the ruling LDP to attract the increasingly right-leaning base which had lately shifted towards Japan's more extreme conservative groups.

The leader is against same-sex marriage and has long stood against laws that would allow spouses to have different last names, preventing many women from retaining their birth surnames.

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

Nonetheless, she did soften some of her messaging during her campaign – saying she favours giving tax incentives to companies that offer daycare services to their employees and mentioned potential deductions for families investing in child-rearing.

Yet she has historically backed the notion of a conventional position for women in the community and in the family.

Regarding women's issues, Takaichi is aligned with her country's subpar record on gender issues.

Japan's Gender Gap in Perspective

Japanese women are some of the most highly educated and most skilled in the world and yet they face challenges with the expectations of a conservative society that still pushes them into traditional roles.

According to the 2025 equality ranking by the global organization, Japan placed 118th among nearly 150 countries, with female representation in the political arena notably low.

Leadership positions have historically been held by males and Japan has struggled to increase the quantity of women legislators and business leaders.

The world's fourth largest economic power ranks at the bottom among the Group of Seven nations when it comes to the percentage of women in its national parliament. Specifically, women make up about 15.7% of legislators in Japan, the smallest proportion among the seven major economies.

It is even slow when it comes to women's reproductive health: only this week was it announced that the “emergency” pill – a form of post-coital birth control available without prescription in more than 90 nations – had finally been approved for non-prescription sales in Japan.

Differing Reactions to the Landmark Leadership

Even so, certain individuals view Takaichi's rise to power as a critical juncture that could change how females view their prospects.

“It is highly meaningful in the new prime minister assuming the role of prime minister, with a broader impact on society,” Naomi Koshi – who was elected as the nation's most youthful woman city leader in 2012 – told local media.

She contended Japan electing a female prime minister will “reduce mental obstacles” for females of all ages, enabling them to believe it is acceptable to “stand out” as leaders in businesses and society, despite gender-based stereotypes and expectations still persist.

However a 20-year-old points out that, while it is remarkable Japan has its first female prime minister, one must remember it took her over three decades to get to that office.

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

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

“It is essential to ensure we're talking about her agenda. We must be able to evaluate her equally as everyone else.”

Political Background and Influences

It is not just what Takaichi has said which has led people to label her as a supporter of the male-dominated system.

It's also apparent by which individuals her supporters within the LDP have been.

She's the protégé of the deceased former hawkish prime minister a previous leader, and was backed in the leadership election by Taro Aso – a prominent member in the LDP at the head of one of the ruling party's most powerful right-wing factions.

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

“I believe that it is difficult for women to sort of relate to her success because it furthers this idea that we must be obedient with the status quo,” young adult Minori Konishi says.

The 21-year-old concurs, saying that with her as a symbol for women in government, “people are going to expect the identical from women as well”.

“They're going to expect us to be conforming, not oppose the beliefs that they hold, and it could render our role more difficult.”

Upcoming Obstacles and Anticipations

Making history, though, was just the first of the challenges Takaichi will face – not least addressing a sluggish economy and inflation and regaining the trust of a frustrated and angry electorate, as well as hosting 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 priority list.