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

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

However, although the optics speak of a progressive moment, certain females don't see her as an advocate for change.

It was rather fascinating to see how people beyond Japan's borders have reacted to the news,” Ayda Ogura states.

People are saying, ‘wow, she's the inaugural woman prime minister in Japanese history and that would be a significant chance for female advancement and equal rights in Japan’.

“I think that's a rather simplistic interpretation.”

Instead, the young woman highlights her “political beliefs and what she stands for,” adding: “She reinforces the patriarchal system.”

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

Similar to Thatcher, Takaichi is a firm conservative.

Observers say her leadership is a tactical move from the ruling LDP to appeal to the increasingly right-leaning base which had recently gravitated towards Japan's parties further to the right.

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

She's also against females being in line for succession in the royal household.

Nonetheless, she moderated certain her statements during her election bid – stating she favours giving tax incentives to businesses that provide daycare services to their employees and spoke of possible tax breaks for households spending on child-rearing.

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

Regarding women's issues, Takaichi is consistent with her nation's subpar performance on gender issues.

The Country's Gender Gap in Perspective

Women in Japan are some of the best educated and most skilled in the world and yet they struggle with the expectations of a traditional culture that still directs them into traditional roles.

Based on the 2025 equality ranking by the global organization, Japan placed 118th among nearly 150 countries, with female representation in the political arena particularly minimal.

Leadership positions have historically been held by men and Japan has faced difficulties to increase 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 percentage of females in its legislative body. In detail, females constitute about 15.7% of legislators in Japan, the lowest figure among the seven major economies.

It is even slow when it comes to women's reproductive health: recently was it revealed that the “emergency” pill – a type of emergency contraception available without prescription in over ninety nations – had at last been authorized for non-prescription sales in Japan.

Mixed Responses to the Landmark Leadership

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

“It is highly meaningful in the new prime minister assuming the role of prime minister, with a broader impact on society,” Naomi Koshi – who was elected as the nation's youngest female city leader in 2012 – informed Japan's Kyodo news agency.

She contended Japan having a female prime minister will “reduce mental obstacles” for females of all ages, enabling them to believe it is acceptable to “excel” as leaders in companies and society, despite biased expectations and norms still remain.

But Audrey Hill-Uekawa points out that, while it is notable Japan has its first female leader, it is important to recall it required her more than 30 years to get to that office.

“Additionally, she is not truly going against the norm. She's saying the same thing as the male politicians.”

Ms Hill-Uekawa adds that she shouldn't be put on a pedestal just due to the fact she is a woman.

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

Political Context and Influences

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

It's also evident by who her supporters inside the party have were.

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

Their group's backing for Sanae Takaichi was crucial in consolidating the party's right wing behind her.

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

Ms Ogura agrees, stating that with her as a symbol for females in politics, “the public are likely to anticipate the identical from women as too”.

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

Upcoming Obstacles and Expectations

Achieving this milestone, though, was just the first of the difficulties Takaichi will encounter – not least addressing a slow growth and inflation and winning back the confidence of a discontented and angry voting public, as well as hosting president Trump within a short time of taking power.

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