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To numerous young girls in Japan currently, the sight of Sanae Takaichi taking the helm as the country's first ever woman leader is powerful and influential.

This signifies a male-oriented culture and a political system that has long been dominated by men is currently headed by a female.

However, although the optics speak of a forward-thinking era, certain females don't see her as an champion of progress.

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

“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 view.”

Instead, the young woman points to her “political beliefs and what she stands for,” adding: “She perpetuates the male-dominated structure.”

A strong admirer of Britain's first female prime minister, Sanae Takaichi has always wanted to be the “Iron Lady” of her nation.

Similar to Thatcher, Takaichi is a staunch conservative.

Observers say her ascension is a tactical move from the governing Liberal Democratic Party to appeal to the increasingly right-leaning base which had recently gravitated towards Japan's parties further to the right.

The leader is against same-sex marriage and has long stood against legislation that would permit spouses to have different last names, blocking many women from keeping their maiden names.

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

However, she moderated certain her messaging during her election bid – saying she favours giving financial benefits to businesses that provide childcare facilities to their employees and spoke of possible deductions for families spending on childcare.

Yet she has over the years backed the idea of a conventional role for women in society and in the family.

When it comes to gender matters, Takaichi is consistent with her nation's less than impressive performance on equality concerns.

Japan's Gender Gap in Perspective

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

According to the 2025 equality ranking by the World Economic Forum, Japan placed 118th among 148 countries, with women's presence in the field of politics notably low.

Top roles have traditionally been dominated by males and Japan has struggled to increase the number of women legislators and business leaders.

The world's fourth largest economic power places at the bottom among the Group of Seven nations when it comes to the percentage of women in its national parliament. Specifically, women constitute about 15.7% of legislators in Japan, the smallest proportion among the G7.

It is even slow 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 nations – had finally been approved for non-prescription sales in Japan.

Differing Reactions to the Landmark Appointment

Even so, certain individuals view Takaichi's ascent as a pivotal moment that could change how women perceive their prospects.

“It is highly meaningful in Ms Takaichi becoming prime minister, with a broader impact on the public,” Naomi Koshi – who became the country's youngest female city leader in 2012 – told local media.

She contended Japan having a female prime minister will “reduce psychological barriers” for females of all ages, enabling them to believe it is acceptable to “excel” as authorities in businesses and the community, despite biased expectations and expectations still persist.

But a 20-year-old points out that, while it is remarkable Japan has its first female prime minister, one must remember it took her over three decades to reach that office.

“Additionally, she is not really challenging the norm. She expresses the identical views as the male politicians.”

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

“We need to make sure we're talking about her agenda. We need to be able to criticise her equally as all other leaders.”

Ideological Context and Influences

It is not only what Takaichi has said which has caused individuals to describe her as a supporter of the male-dominated system.

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

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 ruling party at the head of one of the government's most powerful right-wing factions.

His faction's backing for Sanae Takaichi was pivotal in consolidating the conservative wing behind her.

“I do feel that it is difficult for women to somewhat relate to her success because it promotes this notion that we must be obedient with the existing system,” 21-year-old Minori Konishi remarks.

Ms Ogura concurs, saying that with her as a figurehead for women in politics, “the public are going to expect the identical from us as too”.

“They will demand us to be compliant, not oppose the beliefs that they have, and it might make our job harder.”

Upcoming Challenges and Anticipations

Achieving this milestone, however, was just the first of the difficulties Takaichi will face – not least tackling a slow growth and rising prices and winning back the confidence of a frustrated and angry electorate, as well as hosting president Trump within a short time of assuming office.

One can reasonably assume that few anticipate gender equality issues to be high on her agenda.