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For many young girls in Japan currently, the sight of Sanae Takaichi taking the helm as the nation's first ever female prime minister is impactful and formative.

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

But while the appearances speak of a forward-thinking era, certain females don't see her as an advocate for change.

It was rather fascinating to observe how individuals beyond Japan's borders have responded to the announcement,” Ayda Ogura states.

People are saying, ‘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 very naive view.”

Instead, the young woman highlights her “political beliefs and what she represents,” adding: “She reinforces the male-dominated structure.”

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

And like Thatcher, Takaichi is a firm conservative.

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

The leader is against same-sex marriage and has long stood against laws that would permit married couples to have separate surnames, preventing many women from retaining their birth surnames.

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

However, she did soften some of her messaging during her campaign – stating she supports giving tax incentives to businesses that provide childcare facilities to their employees and mentioned possible tax breaks for households spending on child-rearing.

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

When it comes to women's issues, Takaichi is consistent with her country's less than impressive record on equality concerns.

The Country's Inequality in Context

Japanese women are among the best educated and highest qualified in the globe and yet they struggle with the expectations of a traditional culture that still pushes them into traditional roles.

Based on the 2025 gender gap index by the World Economic Forum, Japan ranked 118th among 148 nations, with female representation in the political arena particularly minimal.

Leadership positions have traditionally been dominated by males and Japan has faced difficulties to boost the number of female lawmakers and business leaders.

The world's fourth largest economic power ranks last among the G7 countries when it comes to the percentage of women in its national parliament. Specifically, females make up about 15.7% of lawmakers in Japan, the smallest proportion among the G7.

It is even slow when it comes to female healthcare: only this week was it announced that the “morning after” pill – a type of post-coital birth control available without prescription in more than 90 countries – had finally been approved for over the counter use in Japan.

Mixed Reactions to the Landmark Appointment

Nonetheless, certain individuals view Takaichi's rise to power as a critical juncture that could alter how females view their prospects.

“It is highly meaningful in the new prime minister becoming prime minister, with a broader impact on the public,” a former mayor – who became the country's youngest female city leader in 2012 – informed Japan's Kyodo news agency.

She contended Japan having a female prime minister will “reduce psychological barriers” for females of all ages, helping them feel it is acceptable to “excel” as leaders in businesses and society, even as biased expectations and expectations still remain.

However a 20-year-old points out that, while it is notable Japan has its first female prime minister, it is important to recall it required her over three decades to reach that position.

“Additionally, she is not truly challenging the norm. She expresses the identical views as the men.”

Ms Hill-Uekawa adds that she shouldn't be put on a platform simply because she is a female.

“It is essential to ensure we're discussing her policies. We need to be able to criticise her equally as all other leaders.”

Ideological Background and Influences

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

It's also apparent by who her champions inside the party have were.

She's the protégé of the late ex- conservative prime minister a previous leader, and was endorsed in the party vote by a senior politician – 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 crucial in consolidating the party's right wing behind her.

“I believe that it is difficult for females to somewhat identify with her achievement because it promotes this idea that we have to be obedient with the status quo,” 21-year-old a citizen says.

The 21-year-old agrees, stating that with her as a symbol for women in government, “the public are likely to anticipate the identical from women as well”.

“They will demand women to be compliant, not go against the beliefs that they have, and it might make our job more difficult.”

Future Obstacles and Expectations

Making history, however, was just the first of the challenges Takaichi will encounter – including tackling a slow growth and rising prices and winning back the trust of a discontented and irate electorate, as well as hosting the US leader within days of assuming office.

It's safe to say that no-one expects women's rights matters to be high on her agenda.