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For many young girls in Japan today, the sight of Sanae Takaichi assuming leadership as the nation's inaugural woman leader is impactful and formative.

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

However, although the optics suggest a forward-thinking era, some women do not view her as an advocate for change.

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

People are saying, ‘wow, she's the first female 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 interpretation.”

Conversely, Ms Ogura highlights her “ideological stance and what she stands for,” 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 firm conservative.

Analysts note her ascension is a strategic decision from the governing LDP to appeal to the more conservative base which had lately shifted towards Japan's more extreme conservative groups.

Takaichi opposes marriage equality and has long stood against legislation that would allow married couples to have separate surnames, blocking many women from keeping their birth surnames.

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

Nonetheless, she did soften some of her messaging during her election bid – stating she favours giving financial benefits to companies that offer childcare facilities to their staff and spoke of potential deductions for families investing in childcare.

But she has over the years backed the notion of a conventional role for women in the community and in the home.

When it comes to women's issues, Takaichi is consistent with her nation's less than impressive performance on gender issues.

The Country's Inequality in Context

Women in Japan are among the most highly educated and most skilled in the globe and yet they face challenges with the expectations of a conservative society that still directs them into traditional roles.

According to the 2025 equality ranking by the World Economic Forum, Japan ranked 118th out of among nearly 150 nations, with women's presence in the political arena particularly minimal.

Top roles have traditionally been dominated by men 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 G7 countries when it comes to the percentage of females in its legislative body. In detail, women make up about 15.7% of legislators in Japan, the smallest proportion among the G7.

Progress is also sluggish when it comes to female healthcare: only this week was it announced that the “emergency” 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.

Differing Responses to the Landmark Appointment

Nonetheless, certain individuals view Takaichi's ascent as a pivotal moment that could change how females view their opportunities.

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

She contended Japan electing a female prime minister will “lower 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 persist.

However Audrey Hill-Uekawa points out that, while it is notable Japan has its inaugural woman prime minister, one must remember it required her over three decades to reach that position.

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

The young woman adds that she ought not be placed on a platform simply because she is a woman.

“It is essential to make sure we're discussing her policies. We must be capable of criticise her equally as all other leaders.”

Political Context and Influences

It is not just 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 champions within the LDP have were.

She's the protégé of the late ex- hawkish prime minister Shinzo Abe, and was backed in the party vote by Taro Aso – a prominent member in the ruling party at the leadership of one of the ruling party's most influential conservative blocs.

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

“I believe that it is challenging for women to somewhat relate to her achievement because it promotes this notion that we must be obedient with the status quo,” young adult a citizen remarks.

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

“They're going to expect us to be conforming, not oppose the ideals that they have, and it could render our job harder.”

Future Challenges and Expectations

Achieving this milestone, however, was just the first of the challenges Takaichi will face – not least addressing a slow growth and inflation and regaining the confidence of a frustrated and angry voting public, as in addition to welcoming the US leader within days of taking power.

One can reasonably assume that no-one expects women's rights matters to be high on her agenda.