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For many young girls in Japan today, the image of Sanae Takaichi assuming leadership as the nation's inaugural woman prime minister is powerful and formative.

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

But while the appearances suggest a forward-thinking era, some women do not view her as an champion of progress.

“It was quite interesting to observe how people outside Japan have reacted to the announcement,” a 21-year-old states.

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

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

Conversely, Ms Ogura points to her “ideological stance and what she stands for,” adding: “She perpetuates the male-dominated structure.”

A big fan of Britain's first female prime minister, Sanae Takaichi has long aspired to be the “Iron Lady” of her nation.

And like Thatcher, Takaichi is a firm right-wing politician.

Observers say her ascension is a strategic decision from the ruling LDP to attract the more conservative supporters 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, blocking many women from keeping their maiden names.

She's also opposed to women being in eligible for the throne in the imperial family.

Nonetheless, she moderated some of her messaging during her election bid – saying she supports giving tax incentives to companies that offer daycare services to their employees and spoke of potential tax breaks for households spending on childcare.

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

Regarding women's issues, Takaichi is aligned with her country's less than impressive performance on gender issues.

The Country's Gender Gap in Perspective

Women in Japan are among the best educated and highest qualified in the world and yet they face challenges with the expectations of a conservative society that still pushes them into conventional positions.

Based on the 2025 gender gap index by the global organization, Japan ranked 118th among nearly 150 nations, with female representation in the political arena particularly minimal.

Leadership positions have historically been held by males and Japan has struggled to boost the quantity of women legislators and business leaders.

The world's fourth largest economy places last among the Group of Seven nations when it comes to the share of women in its national parliament. In detail, women constitute about less than 16% 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 announced that the “morning after” pill – a type of emergency contraception 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 Leadership

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

“It is highly meaningful in Ms Takaichi assuming the role of prime minister, with a broader impact on society,” a former mayor – who became the country's most youthful woman city leader in 2012 – told Japan's Kyodo news agency.

She contended Japan electing a woman prime minister will “reduce mental obstacles” for females of all ages, enabling them to believe it is normal to “stand out” as leaders in companies and the community, despite biased expectations and expectations still persist.

However Audrey Hill-Uekawa points out that, while it is notable Japan has its inaugural woman prime minister, one must remember it required her over three decades to get to that office.

“Additionally, she is not truly challenging the grain. She expresses the same thing as the men.”

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

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

Political Background and Influences

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 evident by which individuals her champions within the LDP have been.

She was mentored of the deceased ex- conservative prime minister Shinzo Abe, and was backed in the leadership election by a senior politician – a senior figure in the ruling party at the head of one of the government's most influential right-wing factions.

Their group's backing for Sanae Takaichi was crucial in consolidating the party's right wing in her favor.

“I do feel that it is difficult for females to somewhat relate to her achievement because it furthers this idea that we have to be compliant with the status quo,” young adult a citizen remarks.

Ms Ogura agrees, saying that with her as a figurehead for females in politics, “people are likely to anticipate the same from women as too”.

“They will demand women to be conforming, not go against the beliefs that they hold, and it could render our role more difficult.”

Upcoming Challenges and Anticipations

Making history, though, was only the initial of the challenges Takaichi will face – not least tackling a sluggish economy and inflation and winning back the confidence of a frustrated and irate voting public, as well as welcoming the US leader within a short time of assuming office.

One can reasonably assume that no-one expects gender equality issues to be high on her agenda.