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For many young girls in Japan today, the image of Sanae Takaichi taking the helm as the country's inaugural female leader is impactful and influential.

It means a male-oriented culture and a government structure that has historically been controlled by men is currently headed by a female.

However, although the optics suggest a progressive moment, certain females 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 states.

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’.

In my opinion that's a very naive view.”

Instead, the young woman highlights her “ideological stance and what she represents,” noting: “She reinforces 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 country.

Similar to Thatcher, Takaichi is a firm conservative.

Analysts note her ascension is a strategic decision from the governing LDP 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 separate surnames, blocking many women from retaining their birth surnames.

Additionally, she is opposed to females being in line for succession in the royal household.

Nonetheless, she did soften certain her statements during her election bid – saying she supports giving financial benefits to companies that provide childcare facilities to their staff and spoke of possible deductions for households spending on childcare.

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

Regarding women's issues, Takaichi is aligned with her nation's subpar performance on equality concerns.

Japan's Inequality in Context

Japanese women are among the best educated and highest qualified in the world and yet they face challenges with the expectations of a conservative society that still pushes them into traditional roles.

Based on the 2025 equality ranking by the global organization, Japan ranked 118th out of among nearly 150 countries, with female representation in the field of politics notably low.

Top roles have traditionally been dominated by males and Japan has faced difficulties to increase the quantity of women legislators and corporate executives.

The globally fourth biggest economy places at the bottom among the Group of Seven nations when it comes to the share of women in its legislative body. Specifically, women make up about 15.7% of legislators in Japan, the lowest figure among the seven major economies.

It is even slow when it comes to female healthcare: only this week was it announced that the “emergency” pill – a form of post-coital birth control available without prescription in more than 90 nations – had finally been approved for non-prescription sales in Japan.

Mixed Reactions to the Landmark Appointment

Nonetheless, some see Takaichi's rise to power as a critical juncture that could change how females view their opportunities.

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

Koshi argued Japan having a female prime minister will “lower mental obstacles” for females of all ages, helping them feel it is acceptable to “excel” as authorities in companies and society, despite gender-based stereotypes and expectations still persist.

But a 20-year-old points out that, while it is notable Japan has its inaugural woman leader, it is important to recall it took her over three decades to get to that office.

“Additionally, she is not truly challenging the norm. She's saying the identical views as the men.”

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

“We need to make sure we're discussing her policies. We need to be capable of evaluate her equally as everyone else.”

Political Context and Influences

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

Additionally, it is evident by which individuals her supporters inside the party have been.

She was mentored of the late former conservative prime minister a previous leader, and was endorsed in the party vote by a senior politician – a senior figure in the LDP at the leadership of one of the government's most powerful conservative blocs.

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

“I believe that it is challenging for women to somewhat identify with her achievement because it promotes this notion that we must be compliant with the existing system,” 21-year-old a citizen remarks.

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

“They're going to expect us to be conforming, not go against the beliefs that they hold, and it might make our role more difficult.”

Upcoming Obstacles and Expectations

Achieving this milestone, however, was just the first of the challenges Takaichi will face – not least tackling a sluggish economy and inflation and regaining the confidence of a frustrated 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 high on her priority list.