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For many young girls in Japan today, the sight of Sanae Takaichi taking the helm as the country's first ever female prime minister is powerful and formative.

This signifies a male-oriented culture and a government structure that has long been dominated by men is now led by a female.

But while the optics speak of a forward-thinking era, some women do not view her as an champion of progress.

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

People are saying, ‘wow, she's the first female prime minister in Japanese history and that would be a significant chance for female advancement and equal rights in Japan’.

“I think that's a very naive interpretation.”

Instead, the young woman highlights her “political beliefs and what she represents,” noting: “She perpetuates the patriarchal system.”

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 conservative.

Observers say her leadership is a strategic decision from the ruling LDP to attract the increasingly right-leaning supporters which had lately shifted towards Japan's parties further to the right.

Takaichi opposes marriage equality and has consistently voted against laws that would allow married couples to have separate surnames, blocking 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 campaign – saying she favours giving financial benefits to companies that offer childcare facilities to their staff and spoke of possible deductions for families investing in childcare.

Yet she has over the years supported the idea of a more traditional role for women in the community and in the home.

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

Japan's Gender Gap in Context

Women in Japan are some of the most highly educated and most skilled in the world and yet they struggle with the demands of a conservative society that still pushes them into traditional roles.

According to the 2025 gender gap index by the World Economic Forum, Japan ranked 118th among 148 nations, with female representation in the field of politics particularly minimal.

Leadership positions have traditionally been dominated by males and Japan has faced difficulties to increase the number of women legislators and business leaders.

The globally fourth biggest economic power 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 15.7% of lawmakers in Japan, the lowest figure among the G7.

It is even slow when it comes to women's reproductive health: recently was it revealed that the “emergency” pill – a form of emergency contraception sold over the counter in more than 90 nations – had finally been approved for over the counter use in Japan.

Differing Responses to the Historic Appointment

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

“There is great significance in the new prime minister becoming prime minister, with a wider influence on society,” Naomi Koshi – who was elected as the country's most youthful woman city leader in 2012 – informed local media.

She contended Japan electing a woman prime minister will “lower psychological barriers” for women and girls, helping them feel it is acceptable to “stand out” as authorities in companies and the community, even as biased expectations and expectations still persist.

However Audrey Hill-Uekawa notes that, while it is remarkable Japan has its first female leader, it is important to recall it required her more than 30 years to reach that position.

“Additionally, she is not really challenging the grain. She's saying the same thing as the male politicians.”

Ms Hill-Uekawa adds that she ought not be placed on a pedestal just due to the fact she is a female.

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

Political Background and Associations

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

It's also apparent by which individuals 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 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 uniting the party's right wing behind her.

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

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

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

Future Challenges and Anticipations

Achieving this milestone, however, was just the first of the difficulties Takaichi will face – including tackling a sluggish economy and rising prices and regaining the confidence of a discontented and angry electorate, as in addition to hosting president Trump within days of taking power.

It's safe to say that no-one expects gender equality issues to be high on her priority list.