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For many young girls in Japan currently, the image of Sanae Takaichi assuming leadership as the country's first ever female prime minister is powerful and influential.

This signifies a male-oriented culture and a government structure that has long been dominated by men is currently headed by a female.

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

“It was quite interesting to see how individuals beyond Japan's borders have reacted to the announcement,” 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 female advancement and gender equality in Japan’.

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

Instead, Ms Ogura points to her “political beliefs and what she stands for,” adding: “She perpetuates the patriarchal system.”

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

Similar to Thatcher, Takaichi is a firm conservative.

Observers say her ascension is a tactical move from the ruling LDP to appeal to the increasingly right-leaning base which had recently gravitated towards Japan's parties further to the right.

The leader is against marriage equality and has consistently voted against legislation that would permit spouses to have separate surnames, preventing many women from retaining their birth surnames.

She's also against women being in eligible for the throne in the royal household.

However, she did soften some of her messaging during her campaign – stating she supports giving tax incentives to businesses that provide daycare services to their employees and spoke of possible tax breaks for families spending on child-rearing.

But she has over the years backed the idea of a more traditional role for females in the community and in the family.

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

The Country's Gender Gap in Perspective

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

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

Top roles have historically been held by males and Japan has struggled to increase the number of women legislators and corporate executives.

The globally fourth biggest economy places last among the Group of Seven nations when it comes to the share of women in its legislative body. Specifically, females constitute about 15.7% of lawmakers in Japan, the lowest figure among the seven major economies.

Progress is also sluggish when it comes to women's reproductive health: recently was it revealed that the “morning after” pill – a form of post-coital birth control 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 ascent as a critical juncture that could alter how females view their prospects.

“There is great significance in the new prime minister assuming the role of prime minister, with a wider influence on the public,” Naomi Koshi – who became the nation's youngest female city leader in 2012 – told Japan's Kyodo news agency.

She contended Japan having a woman prime minister will “reduce mental obstacles” for women and girls, helping them feel it is normal to “stand out” as leaders in businesses and society, despite gender-based stereotypes and expectations still persist.

However a 20-year-old notes that, while it is remarkable Japan has its first female leader, one must remember it required her more than 30 years to get to that office.

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

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

“We need to make sure we're talking about her agenda. We need to be capable of criticise her equally as everyone else.”

Ideological Background and Associations

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

It's also evident by which individuals her supporters inside the party have been.

She's the protégé of the late ex- conservative prime minister a previous leader, and was backed in the leadership election by a senior politician – a senior figure in the ruling party at the head of one of the ruling party's most influential conservative blocs.

Their group's support for Sanae Takaichi was pivotal in consolidating the conservative wing in her favor.

“I believe that it is difficult for females to somewhat identify with her achievement because it furthers this idea that we must be compliant with the existing system,” 21-year-old Minori Konishi says.

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

“They will demand women to be conforming, not go against the ideals that they have, and it could render our role harder.”

Future Challenges and Expectations

Making history, though, was only the initial of the difficulties Takaichi will face – including tackling a slow growth and rising prices and winning back the confidence of a discontented and angry voting public, as in addition to hosting president Trump within days of assuming office.

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