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

It means a male-oriented culture and a political system that has long been dominated by men is now led by a woman.

But while the appearances speak of a forward-thinking era, certain females don't see her as an advocate for change.

It was rather interesting to see how people outside Japan have reacted to the news,” Ayda Ogura states.

People are saying, ‘wow, she's the first female prime minister in the nation's past and that would be a great opportunity for women empowerment and equal rights in Japan’.

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

Conversely, the young woman points to her “ideological stance and what she stands for,” adding: “She reinforces the patriarchal system.”

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 right-wing politician.

Analysts note her leadership is a tactical move from the governing Liberal Democratic Party to attract the increasingly right-leaning base which had recently gravitated towards Japan's parties further to the right.

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.

Additionally, she is opposed to females being in line for succession in the imperial family.

Nonetheless, she did soften certain her messaging during her campaign – stating she supports giving tax incentives to businesses that provide daycare services to their staff and spoke of potential tax breaks for households investing in childcare.

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

Regarding women's issues, Takaichi is aligned with her country's less than impressive performance on gender issues.

Japan's Gender Gap in Context

Japanese women are some of the best educated and most skilled in the globe and yet they struggle with the expectations of a traditional culture that still pushes them into conventional positions.

According to the 2025 equality ranking by the World Economic Forum, Japan ranked 118th among 148 countries, with women's presence in the political arena notably low.

Leadership positions have traditionally been dominated by men and Japan has struggled to boost the number of female lawmakers and business leaders.

The globally fourth biggest economy ranks at the bottom among the Group of Seven nations 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.

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

Mixed Reactions to the Historic Appointment

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

“There is great significance in Ms Takaichi becoming prime minister, with a wider influence on society,” Naomi Koshi – who was elected as the nation's youngest female city leader in 2012 – informed Japan's Kyodo news agency.

She contended Japan having a woman prime minister will “lower psychological barriers” for women and girls, enabling them to believe it is normal to “excel” as authorities in businesses and the community, even as biased expectations and norms still persist.

But a 20-year-old points out that, while it is remarkable Japan has its inaugural woman leader, it is important to recall it required her more than 30 years to get to that position.

“She's also not really challenging the norm. She expresses the same thing as the men.”

The young woman further states that she ought not be placed on a platform just due to the fact she is a woman.

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

Political Background and Associations

It is not only what Takaichi has said which has led people to label her as a defender of the patriarchy.

Additionally, it is apparent by who her supporters within the LDP have were.

She's the protégé of the deceased former conservative prime minister a previous leader, and was backed in the party vote by Taro Aso – a senior figure in the ruling party at the leadership of one of the government's most powerful conservative blocs.

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

“I believe that it is difficult for females to somewhat relate to her achievement because it promotes this notion that we must be compliant with the existing system,” 21-year-old Minori Konishi remarks.

The 21-year-old concurs, saying that with her as a symbol for women in politics, “the public are likely to anticipate the identical from women as well”.

“They will demand women to be conforming, not oppose the ideals that they have, and it could render our role harder.”

Upcoming Obstacles and Anticipations

Making history, though, was just the first of the challenges Takaichi will encounter – including addressing a sluggish economy and inflation and regaining the confidence of a discontented and angry voting public, as in addition to welcoming president Trump within days of taking power.

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