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For many young girls in Japan today, the image of Sanae Takaichi taking the helm as the country's first ever woman leader is powerful and influential.

It means a male-oriented culture and a government structure that has long been dominated by men is now led by a woman.

However, although the appearances speak of a forward-thinking era, some women don't see her as an champion of progress.

It was rather fascinating to observe how individuals beyond Japan's borders have reacted to the news,” a 21-year-old states.

People are saying, ‘wow, she's the inaugural woman prime minister in Japanese history and that would be a great opportunity for women empowerment and equal rights in Japan’.

“I think that's a very naive view.”

Conversely, Ms Ogura highlights her “political beliefs and what she stands for,” adding: “She perpetuates 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 nation.

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

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

The leader is against marriage equality and has long stood against legislation that would allow spouses to have different last names, preventing many women from keeping their birth surnames.

She's also against women being in eligible for the throne in the imperial family.

However, she moderated some of her messaging during her campaign – stating she supports giving tax incentives to businesses that provide childcare facilities to their employees and mentioned possible deductions for families investing in childcare.

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

When it comes to gender matters, Takaichi is consistent with her nation's subpar performance on equality concerns.

The Country's Inequality in Context

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

Based on the 2025 gender gap index by the World Economic Forum, Japan ranked 118th out of among nearly 150 nations, with female representation in the field of politics notably low.

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

The world's fourth largest economic power places last among the G7 countries when it comes to the percentage of women in its legislative body. Specifically, women constitute about less than 16% of lawmakers in Japan, the lowest figure among the seven major economies.

It is even slow when it comes to female healthcare: only this week was it revealed that the “morning after” pill – a type of emergency contraception available without prescription in more than 90 nations – had finally been approved for over the counter use in Japan.

Mixed Reactions to the Landmark Appointment

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

“There is great significance in Ms Takaichi becoming prime minister, with a broader impact on the public,” a former mayor – who became the nation's most youthful woman mayor in 2012 – informed Japan's Kyodo news agency.

Koshi argued Japan electing a woman prime minister will “reduce mental obstacles” for women and girls, helping them feel it is acceptable to “stand out” as leaders in businesses and the community, despite gender-based stereotypes and expectations still remain.

However a 20-year-old notes that, while it is notable Japan has its first female prime minister, one must remember it took her over three decades to reach that office.

“She's also not truly challenging the norm. She expresses 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 female.

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

Ideological Context and Associations

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

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

She was mentored of the deceased former conservative prime minister a previous leader, and was backed in the leadership election by Taro Aso – a prominent member in the ruling party at the head of one of the government's most powerful conservative blocs.

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

“I do feel that it is difficult for women to sort of relate to her achievement because it furthers this idea that we must be compliant with the status quo,” 21-year-old Minori Konishi says.

The 21-year-old agrees, stating that with her as a figurehead for females in politics, “the public are going to expect the identical from us as too”.

“They're going to expect women to be compliant, not go against the ideals that they have, and it could render our role more difficult.”

Upcoming Obstacles and Expectations

Achieving this milestone, however, was only the initial of the challenges Takaichi will encounter – not least tackling a sluggish economy and inflation and winning back the trust of a frustrated and irate 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 a top priority on her priority list.