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To numerous young girls in Japan currently, the image of Sanae Takaichi assuming leadership as the country's first ever woman prime minister is impactful and influential.

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

However, although the optics suggest a progressive moment, certain females don't see her as an champion of progress.

“It was quite interesting to see how people beyond Japan's borders have responded to the news,” 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’.

In my opinion that's a rather simplistic view.”

Conversely, the young woman points to her “ideological stance and what she stands for,” 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 “Steel Magnolia” of her nation.

And like Thatcher, Takaichi is a firm conservative.

Observers say her leadership is a strategic decision from the governing LDP to appeal to the more conservative supporters which had recently gravitated towards Japan's more extreme conservative groups.

Takaichi opposes same-sex marriage and has consistently voted against laws that would allow married couples to have separate surnames, preventing many females from retaining their maiden names.

She's also against females being in eligible for the throne in the imperial family.

However, she did soften some of her statements during her campaign – stating she favours giving financial benefits to businesses that provide daycare services to their employees and mentioned potential deductions for households spending on child-rearing.

Yet she has over the years supported the idea of a conventional position for women in the community and in the family.

Regarding gender matters, Takaichi is consistent with her country's less than impressive record on equality concerns.

Japan's Inequality in Context

Japanese women are among the most highly educated and most skilled in the globe and yet they struggle with the demands of a traditional culture that still pushes them into conventional positions.

Based on the 2025 equality ranking by the global organization, Japan placed 118th among 148 countries, with women's presence in the field of politics particularly minimal.

Top roles 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 G7 countries when it comes to the percentage of females in its legislative body. In detail, women constitute about less than 16% of lawmakers 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 form of post-coital birth control available without prescription in over ninety countries – had finally been approved for over the counter use in Japan.

Mixed Reactions to the Landmark Leadership

Nonetheless, certain individuals view Takaichi's rise to power as a pivotal moment that could change how women perceive their opportunities.

“There is great significance in Ms Takaichi assuming the role of prime minister, with a broader impact on society,” Naomi Koshi – who was elected as the country's most youthful woman city leader in 2012 – told Japan's Kyodo news agency.

Koshi argued Japan having a woman prime minister will “lower psychological barriers” for females of all ages, helping them feel it is acceptable to “stand out” as authorities in businesses and the community, even as gender-based stereotypes and norms still persist.

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

“Additionally, she is not really challenging the grain. She expresses the same thing as the men.”

Ms Hill-Uekawa adds that she ought not be placed on a platform simply because she is a female.

“It is essential to ensure we're discussing her agenda. We must be capable of evaluate her fairly as all other leaders.”

Political Context and Associations

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 apparent by who her champions inside the party have been.

She was mentored of the late former conservative prime minister Shinzo Abe, and was endorsed in the leadership election by Taro Aso – a prominent member in the LDP at the leadership of one of the government's most powerful conservative blocs.

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

“I do feel that it is difficult for women to sort of identify with her success because it promotes this idea that we have to be obedient with the status quo,” young adult a citizen remarks.

Ms Ogura concurs, saying that with her as a symbol for females in government, “the public are going to expect the identical from women as too”.

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

Future Obstacles and Anticipations

Making history, though, was just the first of the difficulties Takaichi will face – including tackling a sluggish economy and inflation and regaining the trust of a frustrated and angry voting public, as in addition to hosting president Trump within a short time of assuming office.

One can reasonably assume that no-one expects gender equality issues to be a top priority on her agenda.