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For many young girls in Japan today, the sight of Sanae Takaichi taking the helm as the nation's inaugural female leader is impactful and formative.

It means a patriarchal society and a government structure that has long been dominated by men is now led by a woman.

But while the appearances suggest a progressive moment, certain females do not view her as an advocate for change.

It was rather interesting to see how individuals outside Japan have reacted to the announcement,” Ayda Ogura states.

“Everyone's like, ‘wow, she's the inaugural woman prime minister in the nation's past and that would be a great opportunity for women empowerment and equal rights in Japan’.

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

Instead, the young woman highlights her “political beliefs and what she represents,” adding: “She reinforces the male-dominated structure.”

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

And like Thatcher, Takaichi is a firm conservative.

Observers say her leadership is a tactical move from the ruling LDP to appeal to the more conservative 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 females from keeping their birth surnames.

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

However, she did soften certain her messaging during her election bid – saying she favours giving tax incentives to businesses that provide childcare facilities to their employees and mentioned possible tax breaks for households spending on childcare.

Yet she has over the years supported the idea of a conventional role for women in society and in the family.

Regarding women's issues, Takaichi is consistent with her nation's less than impressive record on gender issues.

The Country's Gender Gap in Context

Women in Japan are some of the most highly educated and most skilled in the world and yet they face challenges with the demands of a conservative society that still directs them into traditional roles.

According to the 2025 equality ranking by the global organization, Japan ranked 118th out of among nearly 150 countries, with women's presence in the field of politics particularly minimal.

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

The globally fourth biggest economic power ranks last among the Group of Seven nations when it comes to the percentage of women in its legislative body. In detail, women constitute about less than 16% of lawmakers in Japan, the smallest proportion among the G7.

Progress is also sluggish when it comes to women's reproductive health: recently was it revealed that the “emergency” pill – a form of emergency contraception available without prescription in over ninety countries – had at last been authorized for non-prescription sales in Japan.

Differing Responses to the Landmark Appointment

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

“It is highly meaningful in Ms Takaichi assuming the role of prime minister, with a wider influence on the public,” a former mayor – who became the country's youngest female city leader in 2012 – informed Japan's Kyodo news agency.

Koshi argued Japan electing a woman prime minister will “lower mental obstacles” for women and girls, helping them feel it is normal to “excel” as authorities in businesses and society, even as biased expectations and norms still persist.

But a 20-year-old notes that, while it is notable Japan has its first female leader, one must remember it required her over three decades to get to that office.

“She's also not truly going against the grain. She expresses the same thing as the men.”

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

“It is essential to make sure we're discussing her agenda. We need to be capable of evaluate her equally as everyone else.”

Ideological Context and Associations

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

It's also apparent by who her supporters inside the party have been.

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 prominent member in the LDP at the head of one of the ruling party's most powerful conservative blocs.

His faction's support for Sanae Takaichi was pivotal in uniting the conservative wing in her favor.

“I do feel that it is challenging for females to sort of relate to her achievement because it promotes this notion that we have to be compliant with the status quo,” young adult a citizen says.

The 21-year-old agrees, stating that with her as a figurehead for women in politics, “the public are likely to anticipate the identical from us as well”.

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

Future Obstacles and Expectations

Achieving this milestone, however, was only the initial of the challenges Takaichi will encounter – not least tackling a sluggish economy and rising prices and winning back the confidence of a discontented and angry electorate, as well as welcoming the US leader within a short time of assuming office.

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