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For many young girls in Japan today, the image of Sanae Takaichi taking the helm as the country's inaugural woman leader is powerful and influential.

It means a male-oriented culture and a political system that has long been dominated by men is currently headed by a female.

However, although the optics suggest a progressive moment, some women don't see her as an champion of progress.

It was rather interesting to see how people beyond Japan's borders have responded to the announcement,” Ayda Ogura states.

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

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

Conversely, the young woman points to her “political beliefs and what she represents,” noting: “She perpetuates the patriarchal system.”

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

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

Analysts note her leadership is a strategic decision from the governing Liberal Democratic Party to attract the increasingly right-leaning base which had lately shifted towards Japan's more extreme conservative groups.

Takaichi opposes same-sex marriage 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 imperial family.

However, she did soften some of her statements during her election bid – stating she favours giving tax incentives to businesses that provide daycare services to their employees and spoke of possible tax breaks for families investing in childcare.

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

When it comes to women's issues, Takaichi is aligned with her nation's subpar record on equality concerns.

The Country's Inequality in Perspective

Japanese women are some of the best educated and highest qualified in the world and yet they face challenges with the expectations of a conservative society that still directs them into conventional positions.

Based on the 2025 gender gap index by the global organization, Japan ranked 118th out of among 148 countries, with female representation in the political arena notably low.

Top roles have historically been held by males and Japan has faced difficulties to increase the quantity of female lawmakers and corporate executives.

The globally fourth biggest economy places last among the Group of Seven nations when it comes to the percentage of women in its legislative body. Specifically, women constitute about less than 16% of lawmakers in Japan, the smallest proportion among the G7.

Progress is also sluggish when it comes to female healthcare: only this week was it revealed 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 Appointment

Even so, some see Takaichi's ascent as a critical juncture that could change how women view their prospects.

“There is great significance in Ms Takaichi assuming the role of prime minister, with a wider influence on the public,” Naomi Koshi – who was elected as the country's most youthful woman city leader in 2012 – told Japan's Kyodo news agency.

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

But Audrey Hill-Uekawa points out that, while it is remarkable Japan has its first female leader, one must remember it took her more than 30 years to reach that office.

“She's also not truly going against the grain. She expresses the identical views as the men.”

Ms Hill-Uekawa 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 policies. We must be able to evaluate her fairly as everyone else.”

Ideological Context and Associations

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

It's also evident by which individuals her champions within the LDP have were.

She's the protégé of the deceased ex- hawkish prime minister a previous leader, 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 conservative blocs.

His faction's support for Sanae Takaichi was pivotal in uniting the conservative wing in her favor.

“I believe that it is difficult for females to somewhat identify with her achievement because it furthers this notion that we must be compliant with the status quo,” 21-year-old Minori Konishi says.

The 21-year-old concurs, saying that with her as a figurehead for women in politics, “the public are likely to anticipate the same from us as well”.

“They're going to expect women to be conforming, not go against the beliefs that they have, and it might make our job harder.”

Upcoming Challenges and Expectations

Achieving this milestone, however, was just the first of the challenges Takaichi will face – not least addressing a sluggish economy and rising prices and winning back the trust of a frustrated and angry electorate, as well as hosting president Trump within days of taking power.

It's safe to say that no-one expects gender equality issues to be high on her priority list.