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To numerous young girls in Japan today, the sight of Sanae Takaichi taking the helm as the country's inaugural woman leader is powerful and formative.

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

But while the optics speak of a progressive moment, certain females do not view her as an advocate for change.

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

“Everyone's like, ‘wow, she's the inaugural woman prime minister in Japanese history and that would be a great opportunity for female advancement and gender equality in Japan’.

“I think that's a rather simplistic view.”

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

A strong admirer of Britain's first female prime minister, Sanae Takaichi has long aspired to be the “Steel Magnolia” of her country.

And like Thatcher, Takaichi is a firm conservative.

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

Takaichi opposes marriage equality and has consistently voted against laws that would allow spouses to have separate surnames, blocking many women from retaining their birth surnames.

Additionally, she is opposed to women being in line for succession in the imperial family.

Nonetheless, she moderated certain her statements during her campaign – saying she supports giving tax incentives to businesses that offer daycare services to their staff and spoke of potential tax breaks for families investing in child-rearing.

Yet she has over the years supported the idea of a more traditional role for women in the community and in the home.

When it comes to women's issues, Takaichi is aligned with her nation's subpar performance on gender issues.

Japan's Gender Gap in Context

Women in Japan are some of 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.

According to the 2025 gender gap index by the World Economic Forum, Japan placed 118th out of among nearly 150 nations, with women's presence in the field of politics particularly minimal.

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

The globally fourth biggest economic power ranks last among the G7 countries when it comes to the percentage of females in its legislative body. Specifically, females constitute about less than 16% of lawmakers in Japan, the lowest figure among the seven major economies.

Progress is also sluggish 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 more than 90 nations – had finally been approved for over the counter use in Japan.

Differing Reactions to the Historic Appointment

Even so, some see Takaichi's rise to power as a critical juncture that could alter how women view their prospects.

“It is highly meaningful in Ms Takaichi becoming prime minister, with a wider influence on society,” Naomi Koshi – who was elected as the country's most youthful woman city leader in 2012 – informed Japan's Kyodo news agency.

Koshi argued Japan electing a woman prime minister will “reduce mental obstacles” for women and girls, enabling them to believe it is acceptable to “excel” as leaders in businesses and society, even as gender-based stereotypes and norms still remain.

But 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 really going against the grain. She's saying the same thing as the men.”

Ms Hill-Uekawa further states that she shouldn't be put on a pedestal just due to the fact she is a female.

“It is essential to make sure we're talking about her policies. We must be able to criticise her fairly as all other leaders.”

Ideological Context and Influences

It is not only what Takaichi has stated which has led people to label her as a supporter of the patriarchy.

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

She's the protégé of the late former conservative prime minister Shinzo Abe, and was backed in the party vote by Taro Aso – a prominent member in the LDP at the leadership of one of the government's most influential right-wing factions.

His faction's support for Sanae Takaichi was crucial in consolidating the conservative wing behind her.

“I believe that it is challenging for women to sort of identify with her success because it furthers this idea that we must be obedient with the status quo,” young adult Minori Konishi remarks.

The 21-year-old agrees, saying that with her as a symbol for women in government, “people are going to expect the same from us as too”.

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

Future Obstacles and Expectations

Achieving this milestone, though, was only the initial of the challenges Takaichi will face – including addressing a sluggish economy and inflation and winning back the confidence of a frustrated and angry electorate, as in addition to hosting the US leader within days of assuming office.

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