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

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

But while the appearances speak of a forward-thinking era, certain females do not view her as an advocate for change.

“It was quite interesting to observe how people outside Japan have reacted to the news,” Ayda Ogura states.

“Everyone's like, ‘wow, she's the inaugural woman 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 “ideological stance and what she represents,” adding: “She perpetuates the patriarchal system.”

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

And like Thatcher, Takaichi is a firm right-wing politician.

Analysts note her leadership is a tactical move from the ruling LDP to attract the more conservative supporters which had recently gravitated towards Japan's parties further to the right.

The leader is against marriage equality and has long stood against legislation that would permit married couples to have separate surnames, blocking many women from keeping their birth surnames.

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

However, she moderated certain her messaging during her campaign – stating she favours giving tax incentives to businesses that offer childcare facilities to their employees and mentioned potential tax breaks for households investing in child-rearing.

But she has over the years backed the idea of a more traditional position for women in the community and in the family.

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

Japan's Gender Gap in Context

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

According to the 2025 gender gap index by the World Economic Forum, Japan ranked 118th among nearly 150 countries, with women's presence in the political arena notably low.

Top roles have historically been held by men and Japan has struggled to boost the quantity of female lawmakers and business leaders.

The world's fourth largest economic power places at the bottom among the G7 countries when it comes to the percentage of women in its legislative body. In detail, females constitute about less than 16% of legislators in Japan, the smallest proportion among the G7.

Progress is also sluggish when it comes to women's reproductive health: only this week was it revealed that the “morning after” pill – a form of post-coital birth control available without prescription in over ninety countries – had finally been approved for over the counter use in Japan.

Differing Responses to the Historic Appointment

Nonetheless, some see Takaichi's ascent as a critical juncture that could change how women view their prospects.

“It is highly meaningful in the new prime minister becoming prime minister, with a broader impact on the public,” Naomi Koshi – who was elected as the country's most youthful woman city leader in 2012 – informed local media.

Koshi argued Japan electing a female prime minister will “reduce mental obstacles” for women and girls, helping them feel it is acceptable to “excel” as leaders in businesses and society, despite gender-based stereotypes and norms still persist.

But a 20-year-old notes that, while it is remarkable Japan has its inaugural woman prime minister, it is important to recall it required her over three decades to reach that position.

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

The young woman adds that she ought not be placed on a pedestal simply because she is a female.

“We need to make sure we're talking about her policies. We need to be capable of criticise her fairly as all other leaders.”

Political Background and Influences

It is not just what Takaichi has stated 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 endorsed in the leadership election by Taro Aso – a prominent member in the ruling party at the leadership of one of the ruling party's most powerful right-wing factions.

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

“I do feel that it is challenging for females to somewhat identify with her achievement because it promotes this idea that we have to be obedient with the status quo,” young adult a citizen remarks.

The 21-year-old agrees, saying that with her as a symbol for females in politics, “people are going to expect the identical from women as well”.

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

Upcoming Obstacles and Anticipations

Making history, though, was only the initial of the challenges Takaichi will encounter – not least tackling a slow growth and inflation and regaining the trust of a discontented and irate voting public, as well as welcoming the US leader within a short time of assuming office.

It's safe to say that no-one expects women's rights matters to be high on her priority list.