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To numerous young girls in Japan currently, the image of Sanae Takaichi taking the helm as the country's inaugural female prime minister is impactful and formative.

This signifies a male-oriented culture and a government structure that has long been dominated by men is now led by a woman.

But while the optics suggest a forward-thinking era, certain females do not view her as an advocate for change.

“It was quite fascinating to observe how people beyond Japan's borders have responded to the news,” Ayda Ogura states.

People are saying, ‘wow, she's the inaugural woman prime minister in Japanese history and that would be a great opportunity for women empowerment and equal rights in Japan’.

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

Conversely, the young woman 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 “Iron Lady” of her country.

And like Thatcher, Takaichi is a firm conservative.

Observers say her ascension is a strategic decision from the governing LDP to attract the increasingly right-leaning supporters which had lately shifted towards Japan's parties further to the right.

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

She's also opposed to women being in eligible for the throne in the imperial family.

However, she did soften some of her messaging during her campaign – saying she supports giving tax incentives to businesses that offer childcare facilities to their employees and mentioned potential deductions for households spending on child-rearing.

But she has historically supported the notion of a conventional role for females in the community and in the family.

Regarding gender matters, Takaichi is aligned with her country's less than impressive record on gender issues.

Japan's Gender Gap in Perspective

Japanese women are among the best educated and most skilled in the world and yet they struggle with the demands of a conservative society that still directs them into conventional positions.

According to the 2025 equality ranking by the World Economic Forum, Japan placed 118th out of among 148 nations, with women's presence in the political arena particularly minimal.

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

The world's fourth largest economy ranks at the bottom among the G7 countries when it comes to the share of women in its legislative body. In detail, women constitute about 15.7% of lawmakers in Japan, the smallest proportion among the G7.

Progress is also sluggish when it comes to female healthcare: only this week was it revealed that the “morning after” pill – a form of post-coital birth control available without prescription in over ninety nations – had at last been authorized for non-prescription sales in Japan.

Mixed Reactions to the Historic Leadership

Nonetheless, certain individuals view Takaichi's rise to power as a critical juncture that could change how women view their opportunities.

“There is great significance in Ms Takaichi assuming the role of prime minister, with a wider influence on society,” Naomi Koshi – who was elected as the country's most youthful woman city leader in 2012 – informed Japan's Kyodo news agency.

She contended Japan electing a woman prime minister will “lower psychological barriers” for women and girls, helping them feel it is acceptable to “excel” as authorities in businesses and society, even as gender-based stereotypes and expectations still remain.

But Audrey Hill-Uekawa points out that, while it is remarkable Japan has its first female prime minister, it is important to recall it required her over three decades to reach that position.

“She's also not really challenging the norm. She expresses the identical views as the male politicians.”

Ms Hill-Uekawa further states that she ought not be placed on a platform simply because she is a female.

“It is essential to ensure we're discussing her agenda. We need to be capable of criticise her fairly as everyone else.”

Ideological Background and Influences

It is not only what Takaichi has said 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 were.

She's the protégé of the late ex- hawkish prime minister Shinzo Abe, and was backed in the party vote by a senior politician – a senior figure in the ruling party at the head of one of the ruling party's most powerful conservative blocs.

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

“I do feel that it is difficult for females to sort of identify with her success because it promotes this idea that we have to be obedient with the status quo,” 21-year-old Minori Konishi says.

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

“They're going to expect women to be compliant, not go against the beliefs that they have, and it could render our role more difficult.”

Upcoming Challenges and Expectations

Making history, though, was only the initial of the challenges Takaichi will face – not least addressing a sluggish economy and inflation and winning back the trust of a frustrated and angry electorate, as well as hosting president Trump within a short time of assuming office.

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