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

This signifies a patriarchal society and a government structure that has long been dominated by men is currently headed by a female.

But while the optics suggest a forward-thinking era, some women don't see her as an advocate for change.

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

“Everyone's like, ‘wow, she's the first female prime minister in Japanese history and that would be a significant chance for female advancement and gender equality in Japan’.

“I think that's a very naive view.”

Instead, Ms Ogura highlights her “political beliefs and what she stands for,” adding: “She reinforces the male-dominated structure.”

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

Similar to Thatcher, Takaichi is a staunch right-wing politician.

Analysts note her leadership is a tactical move from the governing Liberal Democratic Party to attract the increasingly right-leaning base which had recently gravitated towards Japan's more extreme conservative groups.

The leader is against same-sex marriage and has long stood against legislation that would permit spouses to have separate surnames, blocking many women from keeping their maiden names.

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

Nonetheless, she moderated some of her messaging during her campaign – stating she supports giving tax incentives to businesses that provide daycare services to their employees and mentioned possible tax breaks for households investing in child-rearing.

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

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

Japan's Gender Gap in Perspective

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

Based on the 2025 equality ranking by the global organization, Japan ranked 118th out of among 148 countries, with female representation in the field of politics notably low.

Top roles have historically been held by men and Japan has struggled to increase the number of women legislators and corporate executives.

The world's fourth largest economic power places last among the Group of Seven nations when it comes to the percentage of females in its legislative body. Specifically, females 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 female healthcare: only this week was it announced that the “morning after” pill – a type of post-coital birth control sold over the counter in more than 90 nations – had finally been approved for over the counter use in Japan.

Mixed Reactions to the Historic Appointment

Nonetheless, some see Takaichi's rise to power as a critical juncture that could alter how women view their prospects.

“There is great significance in Ms Takaichi assuming the role of prime minister, with a broader impact on society,” Naomi Koshi – who became the country's most youthful woman city leader in 2012 – informed local media.

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

However Audrey Hill-Uekawa points out that, while it is remarkable Japan has its first female prime minister, it is important to recall it required her over three decades to get to that office.

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

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

“It is essential to ensure we're discussing her policies. We need to be capable of criticise her equally as everyone else.”

Ideological Context and Influences

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

It's also apparent by which individuals her supporters within the LDP have been.

She's the protégé of the late former hawkish prime minister Shinzo Abe, and was backed in the leadership election by a senior politician – a prominent member in the LDP at the head of one of the government's most powerful right-wing factions.

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

“I do feel that it is difficult for women to somewhat relate to her success because it furthers this notion that we must be compliant with the status quo,” young adult Minori Konishi says.

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

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

Upcoming Challenges and Anticipations

Achieving this milestone, however, was only the initial of the difficulties Takaichi will encounter – including addressing a sluggish economy and inflation and regaining the confidence of a discontented and irate voting public, as well as welcoming president Trump within a short time of assuming office.

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