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To numerous young girls in Japan currently, the image of Sanae Takaichi taking the helm as the country's inaugural woman prime minister is impactful and formative.

It means a male-oriented culture and a political system that has historically been controlled by men is now led by a woman.

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

“It was quite fascinating to see how people beyond Japan's borders have reacted to the announcement,” Ayda Ogura states.

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

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

Instead, the young woman points to her “political beliefs and what she represents,” noting: “She perpetuates the male-dominated structure.”

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

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

Analysts note her ascension is a tactical move from the governing LDP to attract the increasingly right-leaning base 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 maiden names.

She's also opposed to females being in line for succession in the imperial family.

However, she moderated some of her statements during her campaign – stating she supports giving financial benefits to businesses that offer daycare services to their employees and mentioned potential tax breaks for households spending on childcare.

But she has over the years backed the idea of a more traditional position for females in society and in the family.

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

Japan's Gender Gap in Context

Women in Japan are some of the best educated and highest qualified in the world and yet they struggle 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 ranked 118th out of among nearly 150 nations, with women's presence in the political arena notably low.

Leadership positions have traditionally been dominated by men and Japan has faced difficulties to boost the quantity of women legislators and corporate executives.

The globally fourth biggest economy ranks at the bottom among the G7 countries when it comes to the share of females in its legislative body. Specifically, women 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 “morning after” pill – a type of emergency contraception available without prescription in over ninety nations – had finally been approved for over the counter use in Japan.

Differing Reactions to the Historic Leadership

Even so, certain individuals view Takaichi's ascent as a pivotal moment that could change how women view their prospects.

“There is great significance in the new prime minister 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 – informed local media.

Koshi argued Japan having a woman 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 society, even as biased expectations and norms still remain.

However a 20-year-old notes that, while it is remarkable Japan has its inaugural woman leader, it is important to recall it required her over three decades to reach that office.

“Additionally, she is not truly challenging the norm. She expresses the same thing as the male politicians.”

The young woman further states that she ought not be placed on a platform just due to the fact she is a female.

“It is essential to ensure we're discussing her agenda. We need to be capable of criticise her fairly 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 apparent by who her champions inside the party have been.

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

His faction's support for Sanae Takaichi was crucial in uniting the party's right wing in her favor.

“I do feel that it is challenging for females to somewhat relate to her achievement because it furthers this idea that we must be obedient with the status quo,” young adult Minori Konishi says.

The 21-year-old agrees, saying that with her as a figurehead for females in government, “people are likely to anticipate the identical from us as too”.

“They will demand us to be conforming, not oppose the beliefs that they have, and it might make our job more difficult.”

Upcoming Challenges and Expectations

Making history, though, was just the first of the difficulties Takaichi will face – including tackling a slow growth and inflation and regaining the trust of a frustrated and irate electorate, as in addition to welcoming president Trump within a short time of assuming office.

One can reasonably assume that few anticipate gender equality issues to be high on her priority list.