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For many young girls in Japan today, the sight of Sanae Takaichi taking the helm as the nation's first ever female leader is impactful and influential.

This signifies a patriarchal society and a political system that has historically been controlled by men is currently headed by a female.

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

“It was quite fascinating to observe how individuals 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 significant chance for women empowerment and gender equality in Japan’.

“I think that's a very naive interpretation.”

Conversely, Ms Ogura highlights her “ideological stance and what she represents,” adding: “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 firm right-wing politician.

Observers say her leadership is a tactical move 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 consistently voted against laws that would permit married couples to have separate surnames, blocking many females from retaining their maiden names.

She's also opposed to females being in eligible for the throne in the royal household.

However, she moderated some of her statements during her election bid – saying she supports giving financial benefits to companies that offer childcare facilities to their staff and mentioned potential tax breaks for families investing in child-rearing.

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

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

The Country's Inequality in Context

Japanese women are some of the best educated and highest qualified in the world 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 World Economic Forum, Japan placed 118th out of among nearly 150 countries, with women's presence in the political arena particularly minimal.

Top roles have historically been held by men and Japan has faced difficulties to boost the number of female lawmakers and corporate executives.

The world's fourth largest economy ranks last among the G7 countries when it comes to the share of women in its national parliament. In detail, women constitute about less than 16% of lawmakers in Japan, the lowest figure among the G7.

It is even slow when it comes to female healthcare: only this week was it announced that the “emergency” pill – a form of post-coital birth control sold over the counter in more than 90 nations – had finally been approved for non-prescription sales in Japan.

Mixed Reactions to the Historic Leadership

Even so, certain individuals view Takaichi's ascent as a critical juncture that could change how females view their prospects.

“There is great significance in Ms Takaichi becoming prime minister, with a broader impact on the public,” Naomi Koshi – who became the country's youngest female city leader in 2012 – informed local media.

She contended Japan having a woman prime minister will “reduce psychological barriers” for females of all ages, helping them feel it is normal to “stand out” as leaders in companies and society, despite gender-based stereotypes and expectations still persist.

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

“She's also not truly challenging the norm. She expresses the identical views as the men.”

Ms Hill-Uekawa further states that she shouldn't be put on a platform simply because she is a woman.

“We need to make sure we're discussing her agenda. We must be capable of criticise her fairly as all other leaders.”

Political Background and Associations

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

It's also 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 party vote by a senior politician – a prominent member in the ruling party at the leadership of one of the government's most influential right-wing factions.

Their group's backing for Sanae Takaichi was crucial in uniting the conservative wing in her favor.

“I do feel that it is challenging for females to sort of relate to her success because it furthers this notion that we have to be compliant with the status quo,” 21-year-old a citizen says.

The 21-year-old concurs, stating that with her as a figurehead for females in government, “people are going to expect the same from women as well”.

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

Upcoming Obstacles and Expectations

Making history, though, was just the first of the difficulties Takaichi will encounter – not least tackling a sluggish economy and inflation and winning back the confidence of a frustrated and angry voting public, as well as hosting the US leader within days of taking power.

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