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

This signifies a patriarchal society and a government structure that has long been dominated by men is currently headed by a woman.

But while the appearances suggest a progressive moment, certain females don't see her as an advocate for change.

It was rather interesting to see how individuals outside Japan have responded to the announcement,” a 21-year-old says.

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

“I think that's a very naive view.”

Conversely, the young woman points to her “ideological stance and what she represents,” adding: “She reinforces the patriarchal system.”

A big fan of Margaret Thatcher, Sanae Takaichi has long aspired to be the “Steel Magnolia” of her nation.

Similar to Thatcher, Takaichi is a firm conservative.

Analysts note her leadership is a tactical move from the ruling LDP to attract the more conservative supporters which had lately shifted towards Japan's parties further to the right.

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

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

Nonetheless, she moderated certain her messaging during her campaign – saying she favours giving tax incentives to companies that provide daycare services to their staff and mentioned potential tax breaks for families investing in childcare.

Yet she has over the years backed the idea of a conventional role for females in the community and in the home.

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

Japan's Gender Gap in Perspective

Women in Japan are some of the best educated and most skilled in the globe and yet they struggle with the expectations of a traditional culture that still pushes them into conventional positions.

According to the 2025 equality ranking by the global organization, Japan placed 118th among nearly 150 nations, with female representation in the field of politics notably low.

Top roles have historically been held by males and Japan has faced difficulties to boost the number of female lawmakers and business leaders.

The globally fourth biggest economy ranks last among the Group of Seven nations when it comes to the percentage of women in its legislative body. Specifically, women 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 revealed that the “emergency” pill – a type of emergency contraception sold over the counter in more than 90 nations – had at last been authorized for over the counter use in Japan.

Differing Reactions to the Landmark Leadership

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

“There is great significance in Ms Takaichi becoming prime minister, with a wider influence on society,” Naomi Koshi – who became the nation's most youthful woman mayor in 2012 – told Japan's Kyodo news agency.

Koshi argued Japan having a woman prime minister will “reduce psychological barriers” for females of all ages, enabling them to believe it is normal to “excel” as leaders in companies and society, even as gender-based stereotypes and norms still remain.

But a 20-year-old notes that, while it is notable Japan has its inaugural woman leader, one must remember it required her over three decades to get to that position.

“Additionally, she is not really going against the grain. She's saying the identical views as the male politicians.”

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

“We need to ensure we're discussing her policies. We need to be able to evaluate her fairly as everyone else.”

Ideological Context and Influences

It is not only what Takaichi has stated which has caused individuals to describe her as a defender of the patriarchy.

It's also evident by who her supporters inside the party have were.

She was mentored of the late ex- conservative prime minister Shinzo Abe, and was backed in the leadership election by Taro Aso – a prominent member in the LDP at the head of one of the ruling party's most influential conservative blocs.

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

“I believe that it is challenging for females to sort of identify with her success because it furthers this idea that we have to be compliant with the status quo,” 21-year-old Minori Konishi says.

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

“They're going to expect us to be compliant, not oppose the ideals that they hold, and it might make our job harder.”

Upcoming Challenges and Expectations

Making history, though, was only the initial of the difficulties Takaichi will face – not least tackling a slow growth and rising prices and regaining the confidence of a discontented and irate voting public, as in addition to hosting president Trump within a short time of assuming office.

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