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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 impactful and influential.

It means a male-oriented culture and a government structure that has long been dominated by men is currently headed by a female.

However, although the optics speak of a forward-thinking era, certain females do not view her as an champion of progress.

“It was quite fascinating to see how individuals beyond Japan's borders have responded to the announcement,” a 21-year-old says.

“Everyone's like, ‘wow, she's the first female prime minister in Japanese history and that would be a significant chance 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 represents,” noting: “She perpetuates the male-dominated structure.”

A big fan 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 staunch conservative.

Analysts note her ascension is a tactical move from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party to appeal to the increasingly right-leaning supporters which had recently gravitated towards Japan's more extreme conservative groups.

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

Additionally, she is opposed to women being in eligible for the throne in the royal household.

Nonetheless, she did soften certain her messaging during her campaign – saying she supports giving financial benefits to businesses that offer daycare services to their employees and mentioned possible deductions for families investing in childcare.

But she has historically supported 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 country's subpar record on equality concerns.

The Country's Gender Gap in Perspective

Japanese women are some of the best educated and most skilled in the globe and yet they face challenges with the expectations of a traditional culture 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 countries, with female representation in the field of politics notably low.

Top roles have historically been held by males and Japan has struggled to increase the number of women legislators and business leaders.

The world's fourth largest economic power places at the bottom among the Group of Seven nations when it comes to the share of women in its legislative body. Specifically, women make up about less than 16% of lawmakers in Japan, the lowest figure among the seven major economies.

Progress is also sluggish when it comes to women's reproductive health: only this week was it revealed that the “morning after” pill – a type of emergency contraception sold over the counter in over ninety countries – had finally been approved for non-prescription sales in Japan.

Mixed Responses to the Landmark Appointment

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

“It is highly meaningful in Ms Takaichi becoming prime minister, with a broader impact on the public,” a former mayor – who became the nation's youngest female mayor in 2012 – told local media.

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

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 reach that office.

“She's also not really challenging the norm. She's saying the same thing as the men.”

Ms Hill-Uekawa adds that she shouldn't be put on a pedestal simply because she is a female.

“It is essential to ensure we're discussing her policies. We need to be able to criticise her equally as all other leaders.”

Political Background and Influences

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

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

She was mentored of the deceased ex- conservative prime minister Shinzo Abe, and was backed in the party vote by a senior politician – a senior figure in the ruling party at the leadership of one of the government's most influential conservative blocs.

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

“I believe that it is challenging for women to somewhat relate to her achievement because it furthers this notion that we must be compliant with the existing system,” 21-year-old Minori Konishi remarks.

The 21-year-old agrees, stating that with her as a symbol for women in politics, “people are going to expect the identical from us as well”.

“They will demand women to be compliant, not oppose the beliefs that they have, and it might make our job more difficult.”

Future Challenges and Anticipations

Making history, though, was only the initial of the challenges Takaichi will face – including tackling a sluggish economy and rising prices and winning back the trust of a frustrated and irate electorate, as in addition to hosting the US leader within a short time of taking power.

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