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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 formative.

It means a male-oriented culture and a government structure that has long been dominated by men is currently headed by a woman.

However, although the optics speak of a forward-thinking era, some women do not view her as an champion of progress.

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

“Everyone's like, ‘wow, she's the first female prime minister in Japanese history and that would be a great opportunity for female advancement and equal rights in Japan’.

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

Instead, Ms Ogura highlights her “ideological stance and what she stands for,” adding: “She reinforces the patriarchal system.”

A big fan of Margaret Thatcher, Sanae Takaichi has always wanted to be the “Steel Magnolia” of her nation.

And like Thatcher, Takaichi is a staunch conservative.

Observers say her ascension is a tactical move from the governing Liberal Democratic Party to attract the increasingly right-leaning supporters which had lately shifted towards Japan's parties further to the right.

Takaichi opposes marriage equality and has long stood against legislation that would allow spouses to have separate surnames, blocking many females from retaining their maiden names.

She's also opposed to women being in line for succession in the royal household.

However, she moderated some of her messaging during her election bid – stating she supports giving financial benefits to businesses that offer childcare facilities to their employees and spoke of possible deductions for families investing in childcare.

But she has historically supported the idea of a conventional position for females in the community and in the home.

When it comes to women's issues, Takaichi is aligned with her nation's subpar record on gender issues.

The Country's Inequality in Perspective

Japanese women are among the best educated and highest qualified in the globe and yet they face challenges with the expectations of a conservative society that still directs them into conventional positions.

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

Leadership positions have traditionally been dominated by males and Japan has faced difficulties to boost the quantity of female lawmakers and corporate executives.

The world's fourth largest economy places at the bottom among the G7 countries when it comes to the share of women in its national parliament. Specifically, women make up about 15.7% of legislators in Japan, the smallest proportion among the seven major economies.

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

Differing Responses to the Historic Leadership

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

“It is highly meaningful in Ms Takaichi assuming the role of prime minister, with a broader impact on the public,” Naomi Koshi – who was elected as the country's youngest female city leader in 2012 – told local media.

Koshi argued Japan electing a female prime minister will “lower psychological barriers” for women and girls, enabling them to believe it is acceptable to “stand out” as authorities in businesses and the community, even as biased expectations and expectations still remain.

But Audrey Hill-Uekawa notes that, while it is notable Japan has its inaugural woman leader, it is important to recall it took her more than 30 years to reach that office.

“Additionally, she is not really challenging the norm. She expresses the identical views as the men.”

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

“We need to ensure we're discussing her agenda. We need to be able to criticise her equally as everyone else.”

Political Background and Influences

It is not just what Takaichi has said which has led people to label her as a supporter of the patriarchy.

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

She's the protégé of the deceased ex- hawkish prime minister Shinzo Abe, and was backed in the leadership election by Taro Aso – a prominent member in the ruling party at the leadership of one of the ruling party's most influential right-wing factions.

His faction's support for Sanae Takaichi was crucial in consolidating the conservative wing in her favor.

“I do feel that it is difficult for women to sort of relate to her success because it promotes this notion that we must be compliant with the status quo,” young adult Minori Konishi says.

The 21-year-old concurs, stating that with her as a symbol for females in government, “the public are likely to anticipate the same from us as too”.

“They're going to expect us to be compliant, not oppose the ideals that they hold, and it might make our job more difficult.”

Future Challenges and Anticipations

Making history, though, was only the initial of the difficulties Takaichi will encounter – not least tackling a slow growth and rising prices and regaining 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 no-one expects gender equality issues to be high on her priority list.