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To numerous young girls in Japan today, the sight of Sanae Takaichi assuming leadership as the nation's inaugural female prime minister is powerful and formative.

It means a patriarchal society and a political system that has long been dominated by men is now led by a female.

But while the appearances suggest a forward-thinking era, certain females don't see her as an champion of progress.

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

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

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

Instead, Ms Ogura points to her “political beliefs and what she represents,” adding: “She reinforces the male-dominated structure.”

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

Similar to Thatcher, Takaichi is a staunch conservative.

Observers say her ascension is a strategic decision from the ruling LDP to attract the increasingly right-leaning base 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 spouses to have different last names, preventing many women from retaining their maiden names.

She's also against women being in eligible for the throne in the royal household.

Nonetheless, she did soften certain her statements during her election bid – stating she supports giving tax incentives to businesses that provide childcare facilities to their staff and spoke of possible deductions for families investing in childcare.

Yet she has historically supported the idea of a more traditional position for women in society and in the family.

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

The Country's Inequality in Context

Japanese women are some of the best educated and highest qualified in the globe and yet they face challenges with the expectations of a conservative society that still directs them into conventional positions.

Based on the 2025 gender gap index 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 faced difficulties to increase the number of female lawmakers and corporate executives.

The globally fourth biggest economy ranks at the bottom among the G7 countries when it comes to the share of females in its legislative body. In detail, females make up about less than 16% of legislators in Japan, the lowest figure among the seven major economies.

Progress is also sluggish when it comes to women's reproductive health: recently was it announced that the “morning after” pill – a type of emergency contraception available without prescription in more than 90 nations – had finally been approved for over the counter use in Japan.

Differing Responses to the Landmark Leadership

Even so, certain individuals view Takaichi's rise to power as a critical juncture that could change how females view their opportunities.

“It is highly meaningful in the new prime minister becoming prime minister, with a broader impact on society,” a former mayor – who was elected as the country'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 women and girls, helping them feel it is acceptable to “excel” as authorities in companies and society, even as biased expectations and expectations still remain.

However Audrey Hill-Uekawa points out that, while it is notable Japan has its first female leader, one must remember it took her more than 30 years to reach that position.

“She's also not really going against the norm. She's saying the identical views as the male politicians.”

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

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

Political Background and Influences

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

Additionally, it is evident by which individuals her champions inside the party have were.

She's the protégé of the deceased ex- hawkish prime minister Shinzo Abe, and was endorsed 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 right-wing factions.

His faction's support for Sanae Takaichi was crucial in consolidating the party's right wing in her favor.

“I believe that it is difficult for women to sort of identify with her achievement because it furthers this notion that we must be obedient with the status quo,” 21-year-old a citizen says.

The 21-year-old concurs, saying that with her as a figurehead for women in government, “the public are going to expect the same from women as too”.

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

Upcoming Obstacles and Anticipations

Making history, though, was just the first of the challenges Takaichi will encounter – including addressing a slow growth and rising prices and winning back the confidence of a discontented and irate voting public, as in addition to hosting the US leader within a short time of assuming office.

One can reasonably assume that no-one expects women's rights matters to be a top priority on her priority list.