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

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

But while the optics suggest a forward-thinking era, some women don't see her as an advocate for change.

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

“Everyone's like, ‘wow, she's the first female prime minister in the nation's past and that would be a significant chance for women empowerment and gender equality in Japan’.

In my opinion that's a rather simplistic interpretation.”

Conversely, Ms Ogura highlights her “political beliefs and what she represents,” adding: “She reinforces the patriarchal system.”

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

And like Thatcher, Takaichi is a firm conservative.

Observers say her ascension is a strategic decision from the governing LDP to attract the increasingly right-leaning base which had lately shifted towards Japan's more extreme conservative groups.

The leader is against marriage equality and has long stood against legislation that would permit spouses to have separate surnames, preventing many women from keeping their birth surnames.

She's also against females being in line for succession in the royal household.

However, she moderated some of her statements during her campaign – stating she favours giving financial benefits to businesses that provide childcare facilities to their employees and mentioned possible deductions for families spending on child-rearing.

But she has over the years supported the notion of a conventional position for females in society and in the family.

Regarding women's issues, Takaichi is consistent with her nation's less than impressive record on gender issues.

Japan's Gender Gap in Perspective

Japanese women are among the most highly educated and most skilled in the world and yet they struggle with the demands of a traditional culture that still pushes them into traditional roles.

Based on the 2025 gender gap index by the global organization, Japan ranked 118th out of among nearly 150 countries, with female representation in the political arena notably low.

Leadership positions have historically been held by males and Japan has struggled to increase the number of women legislators and corporate executives.

The globally fourth biggest economy ranks last among the G7 countries when it comes to the share of females in its legislative body. Specifically, females constitute about 15.7% of legislators in Japan, the lowest figure among the G7.

Progress is also sluggish when it comes to female healthcare: only this week was it revealed that the “emergency” pill – a form of post-coital birth control sold over the counter in over ninety countries – had at last been authorized for over the counter use in Japan.

Differing Responses to the Historic Appointment

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

“It is highly meaningful in the new prime minister becoming prime minister, with a wider influence on society,” Naomi Koshi – who became the country's youngest female mayor in 2012 – told local media.

She contended Japan electing a female prime minister will “lower psychological barriers” for females of all ages, enabling them to believe it is acceptable to “excel” as authorities in businesses and society, even as biased expectations and norms still persist.

However a 20-year-old points out that, while it is remarkable Japan has its inaugural woman leader, it is important to recall it took her over three decades to reach that position.

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

The young woman further states that she ought not be placed on a platform simply because she is a female.

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

Ideological Background and Influences

It is not only what Takaichi has stated which has caused individuals to describe her as a supporter of the patriarchy.

It's also evident by which individuals her supporters inside the party have been.

She was mentored of the deceased ex- hawkish prime minister Shinzo Abe, and was backed in the party vote by a senior politician – a prominent member in the LDP at the leadership of one of the ruling party's most influential right-wing factions.

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

“I believe that it is challenging for women to somewhat relate to her achievement because it promotes this notion that we have to be compliant with the existing system,” young adult a citizen remarks.

Ms Ogura concurs, stating that with her as a figurehead for females in government, “people are going to expect the same from women as well”.

“They're going to expect women to be compliant, not go against the beliefs that they have, and it might make our job harder.”

Future Challenges and Expectations

Achieving this milestone, though, was just the first of the challenges Takaichi will face – including addressing a sluggish economy and inflation and winning back the confidence of a discontented and irate electorate, as in addition to hosting president Trump within a short time of taking power.

It's safe to say that no-one expects women's rights matters to be a top priority on her agenda.