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

This signifies a male-oriented culture and a government structure that has long been dominated by men is now led by a woman.

However, although the appearances suggest a forward-thinking era, some women don't see her as an champion of progress.

It was rather interesting to see how people beyond Japan's borders have responded to the news,” Ayda Ogura says.

People are saying, ‘wow, she's the inaugural woman prime minister in Japanese history and that would be a significant chance for women empowerment and equal rights in Japan’.

“I think 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 strong admirer of Britain's first female prime minister, Sanae Takaichi has long aspired to be the “Steel Magnolia” of her country.

And like 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 more extreme conservative groups.

Takaichi opposes marriage equality and has consistently voted against laws that would allow married couples to have separate surnames, preventing many females from keeping their birth surnames.

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

However, she did soften certain her statements during her campaign – stating she supports giving financial benefits to companies that offer childcare facilities to their staff and spoke of possible tax breaks for families spending on child-rearing.

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

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

The Country's Gender Gap in Perspective

Japanese women are some of the most highly 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.

Based on the 2025 gender gap index by the World Economic Forum, Japan ranked 118th among 148 nations, with female representation in the field of politics notably low.

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

The globally fourth biggest economic power places last among the Group of Seven nations when it comes to the share of women in its national parliament. In detail, females make up about less than 16% of legislators in Japan, the lowest figure among the G7.

Progress is also sluggish when it comes to women's reproductive health: only this week was it announced that the “emergency” pill – a form of post-coital birth control sold over the counter in more than 90 countries – had at last been authorized for over the counter use in Japan.

Mixed Responses to the Historic Appointment

Even so, some see Takaichi's rise to power as a pivotal moment that could alter how women perceive their prospects.

“There is great significance in the new prime minister assuming the role of prime minister, with a broader impact on society,” a former mayor – who was elected as the country's most youthful woman city leader in 2012 – informed Japan's Kyodo news agency.

She contended Japan electing a female prime minister will “lower psychological barriers” for females of all ages, helping them feel it is acceptable to “excel” as authorities in businesses and the community, even as gender-based stereotypes and norms still persist.

But a 20-year-old points out that, while it is notable Japan has its first female leader, it is important to recall it took her more than 30 years to get to that position.

“She's also not really going against the grain. She expresses the identical views as the men.”

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

“It is essential to make sure we're discussing her policies. We need to be capable of evaluate her fairly as all other leaders.”

Political Background and Associations

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

Additionally, it is apparent by which individuals her champions inside the party have been.

She was mentored of the late ex- conservative prime minister a previous leader, and was endorsed in the party vote by a senior politician – a senior figure in the ruling party at the leadership of one of the ruling party's most influential conservative blocs.

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

“I do feel that it is challenging for females to sort of identify with her success because it promotes this idea that we must be obedient with the status quo,” 21-year-old a citizen remarks.

The 21-year-old concurs, saying that with her as a figurehead for females in government, “people are going to expect the same from us as well”.

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

Future Obstacles and Expectations

Making history, though, was only the initial of the challenges Takaichi will face – including addressing a slow growth and rising prices and regaining the confidence of a discontented and angry electorate, as in addition to hosting president Trump within days of taking power.

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