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

This signifies a male-oriented culture and a political system that has historically been controlled by men is currently headed by a woman.

However, although the appearances suggest a forward-thinking era, certain females don't see her as an champion of progress.

“It was quite interesting to observe how individuals outside Japan have reacted to the announcement,” a 21-year-old says.

People are saying, ‘wow, she's the first female prime minister in the nation's past and that would be a significant chance for women empowerment and gender equality in Japan’.

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

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

A big fan of Margaret Thatcher, Sanae Takaichi has always wanted to be the “Iron Lady” of her nation.

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

Observers say her ascension is a strategic decision from the ruling LDP to appeal to the more conservative supporters which had lately shifted towards Japan's more extreme conservative groups.

Takaichi opposes same-sex marriage and has long stood against legislation that would permit married couples to have different last names, preventing many women from retaining their birth surnames.

She's also against females being in line for succession in the imperial family.

However, she moderated certain her statements during her campaign – stating she supports giving financial benefits to companies that offer daycare services to their employees and spoke of potential deductions for families investing in childcare.

Yet she has historically supported the notion of a conventional role for females in society and in the family.

When it comes to gender matters, Takaichi is aligned with her country's less than impressive record on equality concerns.

Japan's Inequality in Context

Women in Japan are some of the best educated and highest qualified in the globe and yet they face challenges with the expectations of a conservative society that still pushes them into traditional roles.

According to the 2025 equality ranking by the World Economic Forum, Japan ranked 118th among 148 nations, with women's presence in the field of politics notably low.

Leadership positions have traditionally been dominated by men and Japan has struggled to boost the quantity of female lawmakers and business leaders.

The globally fourth biggest 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 make up about 15.7% of legislators in Japan, the smallest proportion among the seven major economies.

It is even slow when it comes to women's reproductive health: only this week was it announced that the “emergency” pill – a type of emergency contraception available without prescription in over ninety countries – had finally been approved for over the counter use in Japan.

Differing Responses to the Landmark Leadership

Nonetheless, some see Takaichi's ascent as a pivotal moment that could alter how women view their opportunities.

“It is highly meaningful in the new prime minister becoming prime minister, with a broader impact on society,” 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 having a woman prime minister will “lower mental obstacles” for women and girls, helping them feel it is acceptable to “stand out” as leaders in companies and society, even as biased expectations and expectations still persist.

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

“She's also not truly going against the grain. She's saying the identical views as the male politicians.”

Ms Hill-Uekawa further states that she ought not be placed on a pedestal simply because she is a woman.

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

Political Context and Influences

It is not just what Takaichi has stated which has caused individuals to describe her as a supporter of the patriarchy.

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

She was mentored of the deceased ex- hawkish prime minister Shinzo Abe, and was backed in the leadership election by a senior politician – a prominent member in the LDP at the leadership of one of the government's most powerful conservative blocs.

His faction's backing for Sanae Takaichi was crucial in uniting the conservative wing in her favor.

“I do feel that it is challenging for women to sort of relate to her success because it furthers this idea that we must be compliant with the existing system,” 21-year-old a citizen says.

Ms Ogura agrees, stating that with her as a figurehead for females in government, “people are likely to anticipate the same from us as too”.

“They're going to expect us to be conforming, not go against the beliefs that they have, and it might make our job harder.”

Future Obstacles and Anticipations

Making history, however, was just the first of the challenges Takaichi will encounter – not least tackling a sluggish economy and inflation and regaining the trust of a discontented and angry voting public, as in addition to hosting the US leader within days of taking power.

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