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For many young girls in Japan currently, the image of Sanae Takaichi taking the helm as the nation's first ever female leader is powerful and formative.

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

But while the appearances suggest a progressive moment, some women do not view her as an champion of progress.

It was rather fascinating to observe how individuals outside Japan have responded to the news,” Ayda Ogura says.

People are saying, ‘wow, she's the first female prime minister in Japanese history and that would be a significant chance for women empowerment and equal rights in Japan’.

“I think that's a very naive view.”

Conversely, the young woman 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 always wanted to be the “Steel Magnolia” of her country.

And like Thatcher, Takaichi is a firm conservative.

Observers say her ascension is a tactical move from the governing Liberal Democratic Party to attract the increasingly right-leaning base which had lately shifted towards Japan's more extreme conservative groups.

Takaichi opposes same-sex marriage and has long stood against laws that would allow married couples to have separate surnames, preventing many women from retaining their maiden names.

Additionally, she is opposed to females being in eligible for the throne in the imperial family.

However, she moderated some of her messaging during her election bid – stating she supports giving tax incentives to companies that offer childcare facilities to their staff and mentioned potential tax breaks for families spending on child-rearing.

Yet she has historically backed the notion of a more traditional role for females in the community and in the family.

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

The Country's Inequality in Perspective

Japanese women are some of 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 traditional roles.

According to the 2025 equality ranking by the global organization, Japan ranked 118th among nearly 150 nations, with female representation in the field of politics notably low.

Top roles have traditionally been dominated by males and Japan has faced difficulties to boost the quantity of female lawmakers and business leaders.

The world's fourth largest economic power places last among the G7 countries when it comes to the share of women in its legislative body. In detail, women constitute about less than 16% of legislators in Japan, the lowest figure among the G7.

Progress is also sluggish when it comes to women's reproductive health: recently was it announced that the “morning after” pill – a form of emergency contraception available without prescription in over ninety countries – had finally been approved for over the counter use in Japan.

Differing Reactions to the Historic Appointment

Even so, some see Takaichi's rise to power as a pivotal moment that could change how women view their prospects.

“It is highly meaningful in the new prime minister becoming prime minister, with a wider influence on society,” a former mayor – who was elected as the nation's youngest female mayor in 2012 – told Japan's Kyodo news agency.

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

However a 20-year-old notes that, while it is notable Japan has its first female leader, it is important to recall it required her over three decades to get to that position.

“She's also not really challenging the norm. She expresses the identical views as the male politicians.”

The young woman further states that she shouldn't be put on a platform simply because she is a woman.

“We need to ensure we're discussing her agenda. We must be capable of criticise her fairly 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 male-dominated system.

It's also apparent by which individuals her supporters within the LDP have been.

She's the protégé of the late ex- conservative prime minister Shinzo Abe, and was backed in the party vote by Taro Aso – a senior figure in the ruling party at the head of one of the government's most influential right-wing factions.

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

“I do feel that it is difficult for women to sort of relate to her achievement because it promotes this idea that we have to be obedient with the existing system,” young adult a citizen says.

The 21-year-old concurs, saying that with her as a symbol for women in government, “people are going to expect the same from us as too”.

“They will demand women to be conforming, not oppose the beliefs that they hold, and it might make our role more difficult.”

Future Challenges and Anticipations

Making history, however, was only the initial of the difficulties Takaichi will encounter – including tackling a slow growth and rising prices and winning back the confidence of a frustrated and irate electorate, as in addition to hosting president Trump within a short time of taking power.

One can reasonably assume that few anticipate women's rights matters to be a top priority on her priority list.