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

This signifies a male-oriented culture and a government structure that has long been dominated by men is currently headed by a female.

However, although the optics speak of a progressive moment, some women do not view her as an advocate for change.

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

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

“I think that's a rather simplistic view.”

Instead, Ms Ogura points to her “ideological stance and what she stands for,” noting: “She perpetuates 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.

Observers say her ascension 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.

Takaichi opposes same-sex marriage and has consistently voted against legislation that would allow married couples to have separate surnames, blocking many women from keeping their maiden names.

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

However, she moderated some of her statements during her campaign – saying she supports giving financial benefits to businesses that offer childcare facilities to their employees and spoke of possible tax breaks for households spending on childcare.

Yet she has over the years backed the notion of a conventional position for women in society and in the family.

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

The Country's Inequality in Perspective

Japanese women are among the best educated and most skilled in the world and yet they struggle with the expectations of a conservative society that still pushes them into traditional roles.

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

Top roles have historically been held by males and Japan has faced difficulties to boost the number of women legislators and business leaders.

The world's fourth largest economic power places last among the Group of Seven nations when it comes to the share of women in its legislative body. In detail, females constitute 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 “emergency” pill – a type of emergency contraception sold over the counter in more than 90 countries – had finally been approved for non-prescription sales in Japan.

Mixed Responses to the Landmark Leadership

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

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

Koshi argued Japan electing a woman prime minister will “lower psychological barriers” for females of all ages, helping them feel it is acceptable to “stand out” as authorities in companies and the community, despite biased expectations and norms still persist.

However a 20-year-old points out that, while it is notable Japan has its first female leader, one must remember it took her over three decades to get to that position.

“She's also not really challenging the grain. She expresses the same thing as the male politicians.”

Ms Hill-Uekawa further states that she ought not be placed on a platform just due to the fact she is a female.

“It is essential to make sure we're discussing her agenda. We need to be able to criticise her fairly as everyone else.”

Political Context and Associations

It is not only what Takaichi has stated 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's the protégé 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 LDP at the head of one of the government's most powerful right-wing factions.

Their group's support for Sanae Takaichi was crucial in uniting the conservative wing in her favor.

“I do feel that it is difficult for women to sort of relate to her success because it furthers this notion that we must be obedient with the existing system,” 21-year-old Minori Konishi says.

Ms Ogura agrees, stating that with her as a symbol for women in politics, “people are going to expect the same from us as well”.

“They will demand us to be compliant, not oppose the ideals that they have, and it could render our job harder.”

Upcoming Obstacles and Expectations

Making history, however, was just the first of the difficulties Takaichi will face – not least addressing a sluggish economy and inflation and regaining the confidence of a frustrated and angry voting public, as well as welcoming the US leader within a short time of assuming office.

One can reasonably assume that few anticipate gender equality issues to be a top priority on her priority list.