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

This signifies a male-oriented culture and a political system that has long been dominated by men is now led by a female.

However, although the optics suggest a forward-thinking era, certain females don't see her as an advocate for change.

“It was quite fascinating to see how individuals beyond Japan's borders have responded to the announcement,” a 21-year-old states.

People are saying, ‘wow, she's the inaugural woman 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 view.”

Conversely, Ms Ogura points to her “political beliefs and what she stands for,” adding: “She reinforces the patriarchal system.”

A big fan of Margaret Thatcher, Sanae Takaichi has long aspired to be the “Iron Lady” of her nation.

Similar to Thatcher, Takaichi is a staunch conservative.

Observers say her leadership is a tactical move from the governing LDP to appeal to the more conservative base which had recently gravitated towards Japan's more extreme conservative groups.

The leader is against marriage equality and has consistently voted against laws that would permit married couples to have separate surnames, preventing many females from retaining their maiden names.

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

Nonetheless, she moderated certain her statements during her election bid – stating she supports giving tax incentives to companies that provide daycare services to their staff and mentioned possible deductions for families spending on childcare.

Yet she has over the years backed the notion of a more traditional position for women in society and in the home.

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

Japan's Inequality in Perspective

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

According to the 2025 gender gap index by the global organization, Japan placed 118th out of among 148 nations, with women's presence in the political arena notably low.

Top roles have historically been held by males and Japan has faced difficulties to boost the number of female lawmakers and corporate executives.

The world's fourth largest economy ranks at the bottom among the G7 countries when it comes to the percentage of women in its legislative body. In detail, women constitute about less than 16% of legislators in Japan, the smallest proportion among the seven major economies.

It is even slow when it comes to women's reproductive health: recently was it revealed that the “emergency” pill – a form of post-coital birth control available without prescription in over ninety countries – had finally been approved for over the counter use in Japan.

Differing Reactions to the Historic Leadership

Even so, some see Takaichi's ascent as a critical juncture that could change how females perceive their opportunities.

“There is great significance in Ms Takaichi assuming the role of prime minister, with a broader impact on the public,” a former mayor – who became the country's most youthful woman mayor in 2012 – told local media.

She contended Japan electing a female prime minister will “reduce mental obstacles” for women and girls, enabling them to believe it is acceptable to “stand out” as authorities in businesses and the community, despite gender-based stereotypes and norms still persist.

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 get to that office.

“She's also not truly going against the norm. She expresses the same thing as the male politicians.”

The young woman adds that she shouldn't be put on a pedestal just due to the fact she is a woman.

“It is essential to ensure we're talking about her policies. We need to be capable of criticise her equally as everyone else.”

Political Background and Associations

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

It's also apparent by who her champions within the LDP have been.

She was mentored of the late ex- conservative prime minister a previous leader, and was endorsed in the leadership election 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 backing for Sanae Takaichi was pivotal in consolidating the conservative wing in her favor.

“I believe that it is difficult for females to somewhat identify with her achievement because it promotes this notion that we have to be compliant with the status quo,” young adult a citizen remarks.

The 21-year-old concurs, stating that with her as a figurehead for women in government, “people are likely to anticipate the same from women as well”.

“They will demand us to be compliant, not go against the beliefs that they have, and it might make our job harder.”

Future Obstacles and Expectations

Making history, though, was just the first of the difficulties Takaichi will encounter – not least tackling a slow growth and rising prices and winning back the confidence of a discontented and irate voting public, as well as welcoming the US leader within a short time of taking power.

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