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For many young girls in Japan currently, the sight of Sanae Takaichi assuming leadership as the country's inaugural woman prime minister is powerful and formative.

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

However, although the appearances speak of a progressive moment, some women do not view her as an advocate for change.

“It was quite interesting to observe how people beyond Japan's borders have reacted to the announcement,” Ayda Ogura says.

“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’.

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

Instead, the young woman points to her “political beliefs and what she stands for,” adding: “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.

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

Analysts note her leadership 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 long stood against legislation that would allow married couples to have different last names, preventing many females from retaining their maiden names.

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

However, she did soften certain her messaging during her campaign – saying she supports giving tax incentives to companies that offer childcare facilities to their staff and spoke of possible tax breaks for families investing in childcare.

Yet she has historically backed the notion of a conventional role for women in society and in the family.

When it comes to women's issues, Takaichi is consistent with her country's subpar performance on gender issues.

Japan's Inequality in Context

Japanese women are some of the best educated and most skilled in the globe and yet they face challenges with the demands of a conservative society that still pushes them into conventional positions.

According to the 2025 gender gap index by the World Economic Forum, Japan ranked 118th out of among 148 nations, with female representation in the political arena notably low.

Leadership positions have traditionally been dominated by males and Japan has faced difficulties to boost the number of female lawmakers and corporate executives.

The world's fourth largest economic power ranks at the bottom among the G7 countries when it comes to the percentage of women in its national parliament. Specifically, females make up about less than 16% 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 announced that the “morning after” pill – a type of emergency contraception available without prescription in more than 90 countries – 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 change how women perceive their prospects.

“There is great significance in the new prime minister assuming the role of prime minister, with a broader impact on society,” Naomi Koshi – who was elected as the country's youngest female mayor in 2012 – told local media.

Koshi argued Japan electing a woman prime minister will “lower mental obstacles” for females of all ages, helping them feel it is normal to “excel” as authorities in businesses and the community, even as gender-based stereotypes and norms still persist.

But a 20-year-old notes that, while it is notable Japan has its first female leader, one must remember it required her over three decades to get to that office.

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

Ms Hill-Uekawa adds that she shouldn't be put on a platform just due to the fact she is a woman.

“It is essential to make sure we're discussing her agenda. We need to be capable of evaluate her fairly as everyone else.”

Ideological Context and Associations

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

Additionally, it is apparent by who her champions inside the party have been.

She's the protégé of the late former conservative prime minister a previous leader, 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 influential right-wing factions.

His faction's support for Sanae Takaichi was crucial in uniting the conservative wing in her favor.

“I do feel that it is challenging for females to sort of identify with her success because it furthers this idea that we have to be compliant with the existing system,” 21-year-old Minori Konishi remarks.

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

“They're going to expect us to be compliant, not oppose the ideals that they hold, and it could render our role more difficult.”

Upcoming Obstacles and Expectations

Achieving this milestone, however, was just the first of the challenges Takaichi will face – not least addressing a sluggish economy and inflation and winning back the confidence of a frustrated and irate electorate, as in addition to welcoming president Trump within a short time of assuming office.

It's safe to say that few anticipate women's rights matters to be high on her agenda.