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

This signifies a patriarchal society and a government structure that has historically been controlled by men is now led by a woman.

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

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

“Everyone's like, ‘wow, she's the first female prime minister in Japanese history and that would be a great opportunity for women empowerment and gender equality in Japan’.

“I think that's a very naive view.”

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

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

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

Observers say her leadership is a strategic decision from the governing LDP to attract the increasingly right-leaning base which had recently gravitated towards Japan's more extreme conservative groups.

The leader is against same-sex marriage and has long stood against laws that would allow married couples to have different last names, blocking many females from keeping their birth surnames.

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

Nonetheless, she did soften some of her statements during her election bid – saying she favours giving financial benefits to companies that offer childcare facilities to their staff and mentioned potential tax breaks for households spending on childcare.

But she has over the years backed the notion of a more traditional position for women in society and in the family.

When it comes to gender matters, Takaichi is consistent with her nation's subpar record on gender issues.

The Country's Inequality in Context

Japanese women are some of the best educated and highest qualified in the world and yet they struggle with the expectations of a conservative society that still directs them into conventional positions.

According to the 2025 gender gap index by the World Economic Forum, Japan placed 118th among nearly 150 countries, with women's presence in the field of politics particularly minimal.

Leadership positions have historically been held by men and Japan has faced difficulties to boost the quantity of female lawmakers and business leaders.

The globally fourth biggest economic power ranks at the bottom among the G7 countries when it comes to the share of women in its legislative body. In detail, females constitute about less than 16% of lawmakers in Japan, the smallest proportion among the seven major economies.

Progress is also sluggish when it comes to female healthcare: recently was it revealed that the “emergency” pill – a form of emergency contraception available without prescription in more than 90 countries – had at last been authorized for non-prescription sales in Japan.

Differing Responses to the Historic Leadership

Even so, certain individuals view Takaichi's rise to power as a pivotal moment that could alter how women view their prospects.

“There is great significance in Ms Takaichi becoming prime minister, with a broader impact on society,” Naomi Koshi – who became the country's most youthful woman mayor in 2012 – informed local media.

She contended Japan electing a woman prime minister will “reduce psychological barriers” for females of all ages, helping them feel it is normal to “excel” as authorities in businesses and the community, despite gender-based stereotypes and norms still remain.

But a 20-year-old points out that, while it is remarkable Japan has its first female leader, it is important to recall it required her over three decades to reach that position.

“She's also not truly challenging the grain. She's saying the same thing as the men.”

The young woman adds that she shouldn't be put on a platform simply because she is a female.

“We need to ensure we're discussing her agenda. We must be capable of criticise her equally as all other leaders.”

Political Background 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 apparent by which individuals her champions within the LDP have were.

She was mentored of the late former hawkish prime minister a previous leader, and was endorsed in the leadership election by Taro Aso – a senior figure in the ruling party at the leadership of one of the ruling party's most powerful conservative blocs.

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

“I believe that it is difficult for females to sort of relate to her achievement because it promotes this idea that we must be compliant with the existing system,” young adult Minori Konishi remarks.

Ms Ogura agrees, stating that with her as a symbol for females in politics, “the public are going to expect the identical from us as well”.

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

Future Challenges and Anticipations

Achieving this milestone, though, was only the initial of the challenges Takaichi will encounter – not least addressing a sluggish economy and rising prices and winning back the confidence of a frustrated and angry electorate, as well as welcoming president Trump within days of taking power.

It's safe to say that few anticipate gender equality issues to be high on her priority list.