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To numerous young girls in Japan today, the image of Sanae Takaichi assuming leadership as the country's first ever woman leader is impactful and influential.

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

However, although the optics suggest a progressive moment, some women do not view her as an champion of progress.

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

People are saying, ‘wow, she's the first female prime minister in Japanese history and that would be a significant chance for women empowerment and gender equality in Japan’.

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

Instead, the young woman highlights her “ideological stance and what she represents,” adding: “She reinforces the patriarchal system.”

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

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

Analysts note her leadership is a tactical move from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party to attract the more conservative supporters which had recently gravitated towards Japan's more extreme conservative groups.

The leader is against same-sex marriage and has long stood against legislation that would allow spouses to have separate surnames, blocking many females from keeping their maiden names.

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

However, she moderated certain her messaging during her election bid – stating she supports giving tax incentives to companies that offer childcare facilities to their staff and spoke of possible tax breaks for families spending on child-rearing.

But she has over the years supported the notion of a more traditional role for women in the community and in the home.

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

Japan's Gender Gap in Perspective

Women in Japan are among the best educated and highest qualified in the world and yet they struggle with the demands of a traditional culture that still pushes them into traditional roles.

According to the 2025 gender gap index by the global organization, Japan ranked 118th out of among 148 countries, with female representation in the political arena notably low.

Top roles have traditionally been dominated by men and Japan has faced difficulties to increase the quantity of female lawmakers and business leaders.

The world's fourth largest economy ranks at the bottom among the Group of Seven nations when it comes to the percentage of women in its national parliament. In detail, females make up about less than 16% of legislators in Japan, the smallest proportion among the G7.

Progress is also sluggish when it comes to female healthcare: only this week was it revealed that the “morning after” pill – a type of emergency contraception sold over the counter in more than 90 countries – had at last been authorized for non-prescription sales in Japan.

Differing Reactions to the Landmark Leadership

Nonetheless, certain individuals view Takaichi's rise to power as a critical juncture that could alter how females view their opportunities.

“It is highly meaningful in Ms Takaichi becoming prime minister, with a broader impact on society,” a former mayor – who was elected as the nation's youngest female mayor in 2012 – told Japan's Kyodo news agency.

Koshi argued Japan electing a woman prime minister will “reduce psychological barriers” for females of all ages, enabling them to believe it is normal to “excel” as leaders in businesses and the community, despite biased expectations and norms still persist.

But Audrey Hill-Uekawa notes that, while it is notable Japan has its inaugural woman prime minister, one must remember it took her over three decades to reach that position.

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

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

“We need to ensure we're talking about her policies. We must be capable of evaluate her equally as everyone else.”

Ideological Context and Influences

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

It's also evident by which individuals her champions inside the party have been.

She was mentored of the late ex- hawkish prime minister a previous leader, and was backed in the leadership election by Taro Aso – a prominent member in the ruling party at the head of one of the government's most influential right-wing factions.

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

“I believe that it is challenging for females to sort of relate to her success because it promotes this idea that we have to be obedient with the status quo,” young adult Minori Konishi says.

The 21-year-old agrees, saying that with her as a symbol for women in government, “people are going to expect the same from us as too”.

“They're going to expect women to be conforming, not oppose the beliefs that they have, and it could render our role harder.”

Future Obstacles and Anticipations

Making history, however, was only the initial of the challenges Takaichi will face – including addressing a sluggish economy and rising prices and winning back the trust of a frustrated and irate electorate, as well as hosting the US leader within a short time of taking power.

It's safe to say that few anticipate gender equality issues to be high on her priority list.