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For many young girls in Japan today, the sight of Sanae Takaichi assuming leadership as the country's first ever female leader is impactful and influential.

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

However, although the optics suggest a progressive moment, some women don't see her as an champion of progress.

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

“Everyone's like, ‘wow, she's the inaugural woman prime minister in the nation's past and that would be a significant chance for female advancement and equal rights in Japan’.

“I think that's a very naive interpretation.”

Instead, Ms Ogura highlights her “ideological stance and what she stands for,” adding: “She reinforces the male-dominated structure.”

A strong admirer of Margaret Thatcher, Sanae Takaichi has always wanted to be the “Steel Magnolia” of her country.

Similar to Thatcher, Takaichi is a staunch conservative.

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.

Takaichi opposes same-sex marriage and has consistently voted against legislation that would allow spouses to have different last names, blocking many women from keeping their maiden names.

She's also against females being in eligible for the throne in the imperial family.

Nonetheless, she moderated some of her messaging during her election bid – stating she supports giving financial benefits to companies that offer childcare facilities to their employees and mentioned potential deductions for families spending on childcare.

But she has historically backed the notion of a more traditional position for females in the community and in the family.

Regarding gender matters, Takaichi is aligned with her nation's less than impressive performance on equality concerns.

The Country's Inequality in Context

Japanese women are among the best educated and highest qualified in the globe and yet they face challenges with the demands of a traditional culture that still directs them into traditional roles.

Based on the 2025 equality ranking by the World Economic Forum, Japan ranked 118th out of among nearly 150 nations, with female representation in the political arena particularly minimal.

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

The world's fourth largest economy ranks last among the G7 countries when it comes to the percentage of females in its legislative body. Specifically, females make up about 15.7% of lawmakers in Japan, the lowest figure among the G7.

Progress is also sluggish when it comes to female healthcare: recently was it announced that the “emergency” pill – a type of post-coital birth control available without prescription in over ninety nations – had finally been approved for non-prescription sales in Japan.

Differing Responses to the Landmark Leadership

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

“There is great significance in Ms Takaichi becoming prime minister, with a wider influence on the public,” a former mayor – who was elected as the nation's youngest female city leader in 2012 – told local media.

She contended Japan having a female prime minister will “lower mental obstacles” for females of all ages, helping them feel it is normal to “stand out” as leaders in businesses and the community, even as biased expectations and norms still remain.

But Audrey Hill-Uekawa notes that, while it is remarkable Japan has its first female prime minister, one must remember it required her more than 30 years to reach that office.

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

The young woman further states that she shouldn't be put on a platform simply because she is a female.

“It is essential to make sure we're talking about her policies. We need to be able to criticise her equally as everyone else.”

Political Background and Influences

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

It's also apparent by which individuals her supporters within the LDP have been.

She was mentored of the late ex- hawkish 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 leadership of one of the government's most influential right-wing factions.

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

“I do feel that it is challenging for females to sort of relate to her achievement because it promotes this idea that we have to be compliant with the existing system,” 21-year-old Minori Konishi remarks.

The 21-year-old concurs, saying that with her as a figurehead for females in politics, “people are likely to anticipate the identical from us as well”.

“They're going to expect us to be compliant, not oppose the ideals that they have, and it could render our role more difficult.”

Upcoming Obstacles and Anticipations

Achieving this milestone, however, was only the initial of the challenges Takaichi will face – not least addressing a slow growth and inflation and regaining the confidence of a discontented and angry electorate, as well as welcoming president Trump within days of taking power.

It's safe to say that few anticipate women's rights matters to be a top priority on her priority list.