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For many young girls in Japan currently, the sight of Sanae Takaichi assuming leadership as the nation's first ever female leader is powerful and influential.

This signifies a patriarchal society and a political system that has long been dominated by men is now led by a woman.

But while the optics suggest a forward-thinking era, some women don't see her as an champion of progress.

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

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

In my opinion that's a very naive interpretation.”

Conversely, Ms Ogura points to her “political beliefs and what she represents,” noting: “She reinforces the male-dominated structure.”

A big fan of Britain's first female prime minister, Sanae Takaichi has long aspired to be the “Iron Lady” of her country.

And like Thatcher, Takaichi is a staunch conservative.

Analysts note her ascension is a tactical move from the ruling LDP to attract the more conservative base which had recently gravitated towards Japan's more extreme conservative groups.

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

Additionally, she is opposed to females being in line for succession in the royal household.

Nonetheless, she did soften some of her messaging during her campaign – saying she favours giving financial benefits to companies that offer daycare services to their employees and mentioned possible tax breaks for households investing in child-rearing.

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

When it comes to gender matters, Takaichi is aligned with her nation's less than impressive record on gender issues.

The Country's Gender Gap in Perspective

Japanese women are among the best educated and most skilled in the globe and yet they struggle with the demands of a traditional culture that still directs them into traditional roles.

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

Leadership positions have historically been held by males and Japan has struggled to boost the quantity of women legislators and corporate executives.

The globally fourth biggest economy places last among the Group of Seven nations when it comes to the share of women in its national parliament. In detail, females make up about less than 16% of legislators 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 “emergency” pill – a type of emergency contraception available without prescription in over ninety countries – had finally been approved for non-prescription sales in Japan.

Differing Reactions to the Historic Leadership

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

“There is great significance in the new prime minister becoming prime minister, with a wider influence on the public,” a former mayor – who became the country's youngest female mayor in 2012 – informed Japan's Kyodo news agency.

She contended Japan having a woman prime minister will “lower mental obstacles” for women and girls, helping them feel it is acceptable to “excel” as authorities in companies and society, even as biased expectations and expectations still remain.

But Audrey Hill-Uekawa notes that, while it is remarkable Japan has its inaugural woman prime minister, one must remember it required her over three decades to reach that position.

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

The young woman adds that she shouldn't be put on a pedestal just due to the fact she is a female.

“It is essential to ensure we're talking about her policies. We need to be able to evaluate her equally as everyone else.”

Ideological Background and Associations

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

Additionally, it is apparent by who her champions inside the party have were.

She was mentored of the late former hawkish prime minister Shinzo Abe, and was backed in the leadership election by Taro Aso – a senior figure in the ruling party at the leadership of one of the ruling party's most influential conservative blocs.

Their group's backing for Sanae Takaichi was pivotal in consolidating the party's right wing in her favor.

“I do feel that it is challenging for women to sort of relate to her success because it promotes this idea that we must be compliant with the existing system,” 21-year-old a citizen remarks.

Ms Ogura agrees, stating that with her as a symbol for females in politics, “the public are likely to anticipate the identical from us as well”.

“They're going to expect women to be conforming, not oppose the ideals that they hold, and it could render our role harder.”

Upcoming Challenges and Expectations

Achieving this milestone, though, was just the first of the challenges Takaichi will encounter – including addressing a slow growth and inflation and regaining the confidence of a discontented and angry electorate, as in addition to hosting the US leader within a short time of assuming office.

One can reasonably assume that no-one expects women's rights matters to be high on her priority list.