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For many young girls in Japan currently, the image of Sanae Takaichi taking the helm as the nation's inaugural woman prime minister is powerful and formative.

This signifies a patriarchal society and a political system that has historically been controlled by men is currently headed by a female.

However, although the optics speak of a progressive moment, some women do not view her as an champion of progress.

“It was quite fascinating to see how individuals outside Japan have reacted to the news,” Ayda Ogura says.

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

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

Conversely, Ms Ogura highlights her “political beliefs and what she represents,” noting: “She perpetuates the male-dominated structure.”

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

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

Observers say her leadership is a tactical move from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party to appeal to the more conservative base which had recently gravitated towards Japan's more extreme conservative groups.

The leader is against same-sex marriage and has long stood against laws that would allow married couples to have different last names, preventing many women from retaining their maiden names.

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

However, she did soften certain her statements during her campaign – saying she supports giving tax incentives to businesses that offer childcare facilities to their employees and mentioned possible tax breaks for families spending on child-rearing.

Yet she has over the years backed the idea of a more traditional position for females in the community and in the home.

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

The Country's Gender Gap in Perspective

Japanese women are some of the most highly educated and most skilled in the globe and yet they face challenges with the demands of a traditional culture that still pushes them into traditional roles.

Based on the 2025 gender gap index by the global organization, Japan placed 118th out of among 148 countries, with women's presence in the field of politics notably low.

Top roles have historically been held by males and Japan has faced difficulties to boost the number of female lawmakers and corporate executives.

The globally fourth biggest economic power places last among the G7 countries when it comes to the share of females in its legislative body. In detail, women make up about less than 16% of lawmakers in Japan, the lowest figure among the G7.

It is even slow when it comes to female healthcare: recently was it announced that the “morning after” pill – a form of post-coital birth control sold over the counter in over ninety nations – had at last been authorized for non-prescription sales in Japan.

Differing Reactions to the Historic Appointment

Even so, certain individuals view Takaichi's ascent as a critical juncture that could change how females perceive their prospects.

“It is highly meaningful in the new prime minister becoming prime minister, with a broader impact on the public,” a former mayor – who was elected as the nation's youngest female city leader in 2012 – informed local media.

Koshi argued Japan having a female prime minister will “lower mental obstacles” for women and girls, helping them feel it is normal to “stand out” as authorities in businesses and society, despite biased expectations and expectations still persist.

But Audrey Hill-Uekawa notes that, while it is notable Japan has its inaugural woman prime minister, it is important to recall it took her more than 30 years to get to that office.

“Additionally, she is not really going against the norm. She expresses the identical views 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 talking about her agenda. We must be able to evaluate her equally as all other leaders.”

Political Background and Associations

It is not just what Takaichi has stated which has led people to label her as a defender of the male-dominated system.

It's also evident by who her champions within the LDP have were.

She was mentored of the late 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 head of one of the government's most influential conservative blocs.

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

“I believe that it is difficult for females to sort of identify with her achievement because it furthers this notion that we have to be obedient with the existing system,” 21-year-old a citizen remarks.

The 21-year-old concurs, saying that with her as a figurehead for females in government, “people are likely to anticipate the same from women as too”.

“They will demand women to be conforming, not oppose the ideals that they have, and it might make our job harder.”

Future Obstacles and Expectations

Achieving this milestone, though, was only the initial of the challenges Takaichi will encounter – not least addressing a sluggish economy and rising prices and regaining 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 a top priority on her agenda.