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To numerous young girls in Japan today, the sight of Sanae Takaichi assuming leadership as the nation's first ever woman leader is powerful and formative.

It means a male-oriented culture and a political system that has long been dominated by men is currently headed by a woman.

But while 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 outside Japan have reacted to the news,” a 21-year-old states.

“Everyone's like, ‘wow, she's the inaugural woman prime minister in the nation's past and that would be a significant chance for women empowerment and gender equality in Japan’.

“I think that's a very naive view.”

Conversely, 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 nation.

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

Analysts note her ascension is a tactical move from the governing Liberal Democratic Party to attract the increasingly right-leaning base which had recently gravitated towards Japan's more extreme conservative groups.

Takaichi opposes same-sex marriage and has long stood against laws that would permit spouses to have different last names, blocking many females from retaining their birth surnames.

She's also 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 businesses that offer daycare services to their staff and mentioned possible tax breaks for households spending on childcare.

But she has historically supported the idea of a more traditional position for females in the community and in the family.

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

The Country's Gender Gap in Perspective

Women in Japan are some of the most highly educated and most skilled in the world and yet they face challenges with the expectations of a traditional culture that still pushes them into conventional positions.

Based on the 2025 equality ranking by the World Economic Forum, Japan placed 118th among 148 countries, with female representation in the field of politics notably low.

Leadership positions have historically been held by men and Japan has faced difficulties to boost the number of female lawmakers 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 women in its national parliament. Specifically, females constitute about less than 16% of legislators in Japan, the smallest proportion among the G7.

It is even slow when it comes to women's reproductive health: recently was it announced that the “emergency” pill – a form of post-coital birth control available without prescription in over ninety nations – had at last been authorized for over the counter use in Japan.

Differing Responses to the Historic Leadership

Nonetheless, some see Takaichi's rise to power as a pivotal moment that could alter how women perceive their prospects.

“It is highly meaningful in Ms Takaichi assuming the role of prime minister, with a broader impact on society,” Naomi Koshi – who became the country's most youthful woman city leader in 2012 – told Japan's Kyodo news agency.

She contended Japan electing a female prime minister will “reduce psychological barriers” for women and girls, enabling them to believe it is normal to “excel” as leaders in companies and the community, despite biased expectations and norms still remain.

However a 20-year-old notes that, while it is notable Japan has its inaugural woman leader, it is important to recall it took her more than 30 years to get to that office.

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

The young woman further states that she ought not be placed on a pedestal just due to the fact she is a female.

“It is essential to ensure we're discussing her agenda. We must be capable of criticise her equally as everyone else.”

Political Context and Associations

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

It's also evident by which individuals her supporters within the LDP have were.

She's the protégé of the late ex- hawkish prime minister a previous leader, and was endorsed in the party vote by a senior politician – a prominent member in the LDP at the head of one of the government's most influential conservative blocs.

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

“I do feel that it is difficult for females to sort of relate to her success because it promotes this notion that we must be compliant with the status quo,” 21-year-old a citizen remarks.

The 21-year-old concurs, saying that with her as a figurehead for women in politics, “the public are going to expect the same from women as too”.

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

Future Obstacles and Anticipations

Achieving this milestone, though, was only the initial of the challenges Takaichi will face – not least addressing a slow growth and rising prices and regaining the confidence of a discontented and irate electorate, as in addition to hosting the US leader within days of taking power.

One can reasonably assume that no-one expects women's rights matters to be a top priority on her priority list.