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For many young girls in Japan today, the image of Sanae Takaichi taking the helm as the country's inaugural woman prime minister is powerful and influential.

It means a patriarchal society and a government structure that has long been dominated by men is now led by a woman.

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

It was rather fascinating to observe how people beyond Japan's borders have reacted to the announcement,” Ayda Ogura says.

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

Instead, the young woman highlights her “political beliefs and what she stands for,” noting: “She perpetuates the patriarchal system.”

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 staunch conservative.

Analysts note her leadership is a tactical move from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party to appeal to the increasingly right-leaning supporters which had recently gravitated towards Japan's parties further to the right.

Takaichi opposes same-sex marriage and has long stood against laws that would permit married couples to have different last names, preventing many females from keeping their birth surnames.

Additionally, she is opposed to females being in eligible for the throne in the royal household.

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

Yet she has over the years backed the idea of a more traditional position for females in the community and in the home.

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

The Country's Inequality in Context

Japanese women are some of the most highly educated and highest qualified in the world and yet they face challenges with the demands of a traditional culture that still pushes them into conventional positions.

Based on the 2025 gender gap index by the global organization, Japan placed 118th 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 increase the number of women legislators and corporate executives.

The world's fourth largest economic power places at the bottom among the Group of Seven nations when it comes to the share of women in its legislative body. In detail, females constitute about 15.7% of lawmakers in Japan, the lowest figure among the seven major economies.

It is even slow when it comes to women's reproductive health: only this week was it announced that the “morning after” pill – a form of emergency contraception available without prescription in over ninety nations – had at last been authorized for non-prescription sales in Japan.

Mixed Responses to the Historic Appointment

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

“It is highly meaningful in Ms Takaichi assuming the role of prime minister, with a wider influence on the public,” Naomi Koshi – who became the country's youngest female mayor in 2012 – told local media.

She contended Japan electing a female prime minister will “reduce psychological barriers” for females of all ages, helping them feel it is normal to “stand out” as authorities in companies and the community, even as biased expectations and norms still remain.

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

“She's also not truly challenging the grain. She expresses the identical views as the men.”

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

“It is essential to make sure we're discussing her agenda. We need to be able to criticise her fairly as all other leaders.”

Ideological Context and Influences

It is not just what Takaichi has stated which has led people to label her as a supporter of the male-dominated system.

Additionally, it is apparent by who her supporters within the LDP have were.

She was mentored of the late former hawkish prime minister a previous leader, and was backed in the leadership election by Taro Aso – a prominent member in the ruling party at the leadership of one of the government's most powerful 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 compliant with the existing system,” 21-year-old Minori Konishi says.

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

“They will demand us to be conforming, not go against the ideals that they hold, and it could render our role harder.”

Upcoming Challenges and Anticipations

Achieving this milestone, however, was only the initial of the challenges Takaichi will face – not least tackling a sluggish economy and rising prices and regaining the confidence of a frustrated and angry electorate, as well as welcoming president Trump within a short time of taking power.

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