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To numerous young girls in Japan currently, the sight of Sanae Takaichi assuming leadership as the nation's inaugural woman leader is powerful and influential.

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

However, although the appearances speak of a forward-thinking era, some women do not view her as an champion of progress.

It was rather interesting 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’.

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

Instead, Ms Ogura highlights her “political beliefs and what she represents,” adding: “She perpetuates the patriarchal system.”

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

Similar to Thatcher, Takaichi is a staunch right-wing politician.

Analysts note her leadership is a tactical move from the governing LDP to appeal to the more conservative base which had recently gravitated towards Japan's more extreme conservative groups.

The leader is against marriage equality and has consistently voted against legislation that would allow married couples to have separate surnames, preventing many women from keeping their birth surnames.

Additionally, she is opposed to females being in line for succession in the imperial family.

Nonetheless, she did soften certain her messaging during her election bid – stating she favours giving financial benefits to companies that offer daycare services to their staff and spoke of possible deductions for families spending on child-rearing.

But she has over the years supported the notion of a more traditional role for women in society and in the home.

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

The Country's Gender Gap in Perspective

Women in Japan are some of the best educated and highest qualified in the world and yet they struggle with the demands of a conservative society that still pushes them into traditional roles.

According to the 2025 equality ranking by the global organization, Japan ranked 118th out of among 148 countries, with women's presence in the political arena particularly minimal.

Top roles have traditionally been dominated by males and Japan has faced difficulties to boost the quantity of women legislators and business leaders.

The globally fourth biggest economy ranks at the bottom among the Group of Seven nations when it comes to the share of females in its national parliament. Specifically, women constitute about 15.7% of legislators in Japan, the smallest proportion among the seven major economies.

It is even slow when it comes to female healthcare: recently was it revealed that the “morning after” pill – a form of emergency contraception sold over the counter in more than 90 countries – had finally been approved for over the counter use in Japan.

Mixed Responses to the Historic Leadership

Even so, some see Takaichi's rise to power as a critical juncture that could change how women view their opportunities.

“It is highly meaningful in Ms Takaichi becoming prime minister, with a broader impact on the public,” a former mayor – who was elected as the nation's youngest female city leader in 2012 – informed Japan's Kyodo news agency.

Koshi argued Japan electing a female prime minister will “lower psychological barriers” for females of all ages, helping them feel it is acceptable to “stand out” as authorities in businesses and society, despite biased expectations and norms still remain.

However a 20-year-old points out 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.

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

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

“We need to make sure we're discussing her policies. We need to be able to criticise her equally as everyone else.”

Ideological Background and Influences

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

Additionally, it is apparent by which individuals her supporters inside the party have been.

She's the protégé of the deceased former hawkish prime minister Shinzo Abe, and was backed in the party vote by a senior politician – a prominent member in the LDP at the leadership of one of the ruling party's most influential right-wing factions.

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

“I do feel that it is challenging for women to somewhat identify with her success because it furthers this idea that we have to be compliant with the existing system,” 21-year-old Minori Konishi says.

Ms Ogura concurs, saying that with her as a symbol for women in politics, “people are likely to anticipate the identical from women as well”.

“They will demand us to be conforming, not go against the beliefs that they have, and it could render our job more difficult.”

Upcoming Challenges and Anticipations

Achieving this milestone, though, was just the first of the difficulties Takaichi will face – including addressing a sluggish economy and inflation and regaining the confidence of a discontented and angry voting public, as in addition to welcoming the US leader within days of assuming office.

One can reasonably assume that few anticipate gender equality issues to be high on her agenda.