For many young girls in Japan currently, the sight of Sanae Takaichi taking the helm as the nation's inaugural woman leader is powerful and formative.
It means a patriarchal society and a government structure that has historically been controlled by men is now led by a woman.
But while the appearances speak of a progressive moment, certain females do not view her as an advocate for change.
“It was quite fascinating to observe how people outside Japan have reacted to the announcement,” Ayda Ogura says.
People are saying, ‘wow, she's the first female prime minister in the nation's past and that would be a significant chance for women empowerment and gender equality in Japan’.
In my opinion that's a rather simplistic view.”
Conversely, the young woman highlights her “ideological stance and what she represents,” adding: “She reinforces the male-dominated structure.”
A big fan of Margaret Thatcher, Sanae Takaichi has always wanted to be the “Iron Lady” of her nation.
And like Thatcher, Takaichi is a staunch conservative.
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 long stood against laws that would permit married couples to have separate surnames, preventing many females from keeping their maiden names.
She's also opposed to females being in line for succession in the imperial family.
However, she did soften some of her statements during her election bid – saying she supports giving financial benefits to companies that provide childcare facilities to their staff and spoke of potential deductions for households spending on child-rearing.
Yet she has historically supported the idea of a more traditional position for females in society and in the family.
When it comes to gender matters, Takaichi is aligned with her country's subpar performance on equality concerns.
Japan's Gender Gap in Context
Women in Japan are some of the best educated and most skilled in the world and yet they face challenges with the demands of a conservative society that still directs them into traditional roles.
Based on the 2025 gender gap index by the World Economic Forum, Japan ranked 118th out of among 148 countries, with female representation in the field of politics particularly minimal.
Top roles have traditionally been dominated by men and Japan has struggled to boost the quantity of female lawmakers and business leaders.
The world's fourth largest economy ranks at the bottom among the G7 countries when it comes to the share of women in its national parliament. Specifically, females make up about less than 16% of lawmakers in Japan, the lowest figure among the seven major economies.
Progress is also sluggish when it comes to female healthcare: recently was it announced that the “emergency” pill – a type of post-coital birth control available without prescription in more than 90 countries – had finally been approved for over the counter use in Japan.
Mixed Responses to the Historic Appointment
Nonetheless, some see Takaichi's rise to power as a pivotal moment that could change how women view their opportunities.
“There is great significance in Ms Takaichi assuming the role of prime minister, with a broader impact on society,” a former mayor – who was elected as the nation's youngest female city leader in 2012 – told Japan's Kyodo news agency.
She contended Japan electing a woman prime minister will “lower psychological barriers” for females of all ages, enabling them to believe it is acceptable to “stand out” as authorities in businesses and the community, even as gender-based stereotypes and norms still persist.
But a 20-year-old notes that, while it is notable Japan has its first female prime minister, it is important to recall it took her more than 30 years to get to that position.
“She's also not truly going against the grain. She expresses the same thing as the men.”
Ms Hill-Uekawa adds that she shouldn't be put on a pedestal just due to the fact she is a woman.
“We need to make sure we're talking about her agenda. We need to be capable of evaluate her equally as everyone else.”
Political Background and Influences
It is not just what Takaichi has stated 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 been.
She's the protégé of the deceased former conservative prime minister a previous leader, and was endorsed in the leadership election by Taro Aso – a senior figure in the ruling party at the leadership of one of the government's most powerful conservative blocs.
Their group's backing for Sanae Takaichi was crucial in consolidating the party's right wing in her favor.
“I do feel that it is challenging for females to sort of relate to her success because it promotes this notion that we must be compliant with the existing system,” 21-year-old a citizen remarks.
The 21-year-old concurs, saying that with her as a symbol for women in politics, “people are likely to anticipate the same from women as well”.
“They're going to expect us to be conforming, not go against the beliefs that they hold, and it might make our role harder.”
Upcoming Obstacles and Expectations
Making history, though, 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 irate voting public, as in addition to welcoming president Trump within a short time of assuming office.
It's safe to say that few anticipate women's rights matters to be a top priority on her priority list.
