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To numerous young girls in Japan today, the sight of Sanae Takaichi assuming leadership as the country's inaugural woman prime minister is powerful and influential.

It means a patriarchal society and a political system that has historically been controlled by men is currently headed by a woman.

But while the optics speak of a forward-thinking era, certain females don't see her as an advocate for change.

“It was quite fascinating to observe how individuals outside Japan have responded to the announcement,” a 21-year-old states.

People are saying, ‘wow, she's the inaugural woman prime minister in Japanese history and that would be a great opportunity for female advancement and gender equality in Japan’.

“I think that's a very naive view.”

Conversely, Ms Ogura points to her “ideological stance and what she stands for,” noting: “She reinforces the male-dominated structure.”

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

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

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

Takaichi opposes marriage equality and has consistently voted against laws that would allow spouses to have different last names, preventing many women from keeping their birth surnames.

Additionally, she is against women being in eligible for the throne in the imperial family.

However, she moderated some of her messaging during her campaign – saying she supports giving tax incentives to companies that provide daycare services to their employees and spoke of possible tax breaks for households investing in child-rearing.

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

Regarding gender matters, Takaichi is consistent with her nation's less than impressive performance on equality concerns.

Japan's Inequality in Context

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

According to the 2025 equality ranking by the global organization, Japan placed 118th among 148 nations, with women's presence in the field of politics particularly minimal.

Top roles have historically been held by males and Japan has faced difficulties to boost the quantity of female lawmakers and corporate executives.

The world's fourth largest economy ranks at the bottom among the G7 countries when it comes to the share of females in its national parliament. Specifically, females make up about 15.7% of lawmakers in Japan, the smallest proportion among the seven major economies.

Progress is also sluggish when it comes to female healthcare: recently was it revealed that the “morning after” pill – a type of post-coital birth control sold over the counter in over ninety countries – had at last been authorized for over the counter use in Japan.

Mixed Responses to the Landmark Appointment

Nonetheless, certain individuals view Takaichi's ascent as a critical juncture that could change how women perceive their prospects.

“It is highly meaningful in the new prime minister becoming prime minister, with a broader impact on the public,” Naomi Koshi – who became the country's most youthful woman mayor in 2012 – told local media.

She contended Japan having a female prime minister will “lower mental obstacles” for females of all ages, helping them feel it is acceptable to “excel” as leaders in businesses and society, despite biased expectations and expectations still remain.

But Audrey Hill-Uekawa notes that, while it is notable Japan has its first female leader, one must remember 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 men.”

Ms Hill-Uekawa further states that she shouldn't be put on a pedestal simply because she is a woman.

“We need to ensure we're talking about her agenda. We must be capable of evaluate her equally as everyone else.”

Political Background and Influences

It is not just what Takaichi has said which has caused individuals to describe her as a defender of the male-dominated system.

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

She was mentored of the late ex- conservative prime minister Shinzo Abe, and was endorsed in the leadership election by Taro Aso – a prominent member in the ruling party at the leadership of one of the ruling party's most influential right-wing factions.

Their group's backing for Sanae Takaichi was crucial in uniting the party's right wing in her favor.

“I believe that it is challenging for females to sort of relate to her success because it furthers this idea that we have to be compliant with the status quo,” young adult Minori Konishi remarks.

The 21-year-old concurs, stating that with her as a figurehead for women in government, “the public are likely to anticipate the same from us as too”.

“They will demand us to be compliant, not oppose the ideals that they hold, and it might make our job more difficult.”

Future Challenges and Anticipations

Achieving this milestone, however, was just the first of the difficulties Takaichi will face – including tackling a slow growth and inflation and regaining the trust of a frustrated and irate voting public, as in addition to welcoming the US leader within a short time of taking power.

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