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For many young girls in Japan today, the image of Sanae Takaichi assuming leadership as the country's first ever female leader is powerful and formative.

This signifies a male-oriented culture and a government structure that has historically been controlled by men is currently headed by a female.

However, although the appearances speak of a forward-thinking era, some women do not view her as an advocate for change.

It was rather fascinating to observe how individuals beyond Japan's borders have responded to the news,” a 21-year-old states.

People are saying, ‘wow, she's the inaugural woman prime minister in Japanese history and that would be a great opportunity for women empowerment and equal rights in Japan’.

“I think that's a very naive interpretation.”

Instead, the young woman points to her “ideological stance and what she stands for,” noting: “She perpetuates the male-dominated structure.”

A strong admirer of Margaret Thatcher, Sanae Takaichi has long aspired to be the “Iron Lady” of her nation.

Similar to Thatcher, Takaichi is a firm right-wing politician.

Observers say her leadership is a strategic decision from the governing Liberal Democratic Party to attract the more conservative supporters which had recently gravitated towards Japan's more extreme conservative groups.

Takaichi opposes marriage equality and has consistently voted against laws that would permit married couples to have different last names, preventing many women from retaining their birth surnames.

She's also opposed to women being in line for succession in the royal household.

Nonetheless, she did soften some of her messaging during her campaign – saying she supports giving financial benefits to companies that offer daycare services to their staff and spoke of potential deductions for families spending on childcare.

But she has over the years supported the notion of a more traditional position for females in society and in the home.

Regarding women's issues, Takaichi is aligned with her country's less than impressive record on equality concerns.

The Country's Inequality in Perspective

Japanese women are among the best educated and highest qualified in the globe and yet they struggle with the demands of a conservative society that still pushes them into conventional positions.

Based on the 2025 gender gap index by the World Economic Forum, Japan placed 118th out of among 148 countries, with women's presence in the field of politics particularly minimal.

Top roles have traditionally been dominated by men and Japan has faced difficulties to increase the quantity of women legislators and business leaders.

The globally fourth biggest economic power places last among the Group of Seven nations when it comes to the percentage of females in its legislative body. In detail, women constitute about 15.7% of legislators in Japan, the smallest proportion among the seven major economies.

It is even slow when it comes to women's reproductive health: recently was it announced that the “emergency” pill – a form of post-coital birth control sold over the counter in more than 90 countries – had finally been approved for non-prescription sales in Japan.

Differing Responses to the Landmark Leadership

Nonetheless, some see Takaichi's ascent as a critical juncture that could alter how females perceive their prospects.

“It is highly meaningful in the new prime minister assuming the role of prime minister, with a broader impact on the public,” Naomi Koshi – who became the nation's youngest female city leader in 2012 – told local media.

Koshi argued Japan electing a female prime minister will “lower psychological barriers” for women and girls, helping them feel it is acceptable to “stand out” as leaders in companies and society, despite biased expectations and expectations still persist.

But a 20-year-old points out that, while it is remarkable Japan has its first female prime minister, one must remember it took her more than 30 years to reach that office.

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

The young woman adds that she ought not be placed on a pedestal just due to the fact she is a female.

“We need to make sure we're discussing her agenda. We must be capable of criticise her fairly as all other leaders.”

Ideological Context and Influences

It is not just what Takaichi has said which has caused individuals to describe her as a supporter of the male-dominated system.

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

She was mentored of the late former conservative prime minister Shinzo Abe, and was endorsed in the leadership election by a senior politician – a prominent member in the LDP at the leadership of one of the government's most influential conservative blocs.

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

“I do feel that it is challenging for women to somewhat relate to her achievement because it promotes this idea that we have to be obedient with the existing system,” 21-year-old Minori Konishi says.

The 21-year-old agrees, stating that with her as a figurehead for females in politics, “people are going to expect the identical from us as well”.

“They will demand us to be compliant, not oppose the beliefs that they hold, and it could render our job harder.”

Future Obstacles and Expectations

Making history, however, was just the first of the difficulties Takaichi will encounter – not least addressing a sluggish economy and rising prices and winning back the confidence of a frustrated and irate electorate, as in addition to welcoming president Trump within days of taking power.

One can reasonably assume that few anticipate gender equality issues to be a top priority on her agenda.