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For many young girls in Japan currently, the image of Sanae Takaichi taking the helm as the country's first ever woman prime minister is impactful and influential.

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

But while the optics speak of a progressive moment, some women do not view her as an champion of progress.

“It was quite fascinating to observe how individuals beyond Japan's borders have responded to the news,” a 21-year-old says.

“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 gender equality in Japan’.

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

Conversely, Ms Ogura highlights her “ideological stance 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 “Steel Magnolia” of her country.

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

Observers say her leadership is a strategic decision from the governing Liberal Democratic Party to appeal to the increasingly right-leaning supporters which had lately shifted towards Japan's more extreme conservative groups.

The leader is against same-sex marriage and has consistently voted against legislation that would allow married couples to have different last names, blocking many women from retaining their birth surnames.

Additionally, she is opposed to females being in eligible for the throne in the imperial family.

Nonetheless, she did soften certain her messaging during her election bid – stating she supports giving financial benefits to companies that provide daycare services to their employees and mentioned potential deductions for families spending on child-rearing.

Yet she has over the years supported the idea of a more traditional position for females in the community and in the family.

When it comes to gender matters, Takaichi is aligned with her nation's less than impressive performance on gender issues.

The Country's Inequality in Context

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

Based on the 2025 gender gap index by the World Economic Forum, Japan placed 118th among 148 nations, with female representation in the field of politics notably low.

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

The world's fourth largest economy places at the bottom among the Group of Seven nations when it comes to the percentage of women in its national parliament. Specifically, females constitute about less than 16% of legislators in Japan, the lowest figure among the G7.

It is even slow when it comes to women's reproductive health: recently was it announced that the “morning after” pill – a type of emergency contraception sold over the counter in over ninety countries – had finally been approved for over the counter use in Japan.

Differing Responses to the Landmark Appointment

Nonetheless, certain individuals view Takaichi's rise to power as a pivotal moment that could change how women perceive their prospects.

“There is great significance in Ms Takaichi assuming the role of prime minister, with a wider influence on the public,” a former mayor – who became the country's most youthful woman mayor in 2012 – told local media.

She contended Japan electing a female prime minister will “reduce mental obstacles” for females of all ages, helping them feel it is normal to “excel” as leaders in businesses and society, even as biased expectations and norms 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 took her over three decades to reach that office.

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

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

“It is essential to ensure we're talking about her policies. We need to be capable of criticise her fairly as all other leaders.”

Ideological Background and Associations

It is not only what Takaichi has said which has led people to label her as a defender of the patriarchy.

Additionally, it is evident by which individuals her champions within the LDP have were.

She was mentored of the deceased ex- conservative prime minister a previous leader, and was endorsed in the party vote by Taro Aso – a prominent member in the ruling party at the leadership of one of the government's most influential right-wing factions.

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

“I believe that it is difficult for females to somewhat identify with her success because it promotes this notion that we have to be compliant with the existing system,” young adult a citizen remarks.

Ms Ogura concurs, saying that with her as a symbol for females in government, “people are going to expect the identical from us as well”.

“They will demand women to be conforming, not go against the ideals that they have, and it might make our job more difficult.”

Future Obstacles and Anticipations

Making history, however, was only the initial of the difficulties Takaichi will encounter – including tackling a sluggish economy and inflation and winning back the confidence of a discontented and irate electorate, as well as welcoming president Trump 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 agenda.