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To numerous young girls in Japan currently, the sight of Sanae Takaichi assuming leadership as the nation's first ever female leader is powerful and influential.

It means a patriarchal society and a government structure that has historically been controlled by men is currently headed by a woman.

However, although the optics speak of a forward-thinking era, certain females don't see her as an advocate for change.

“It was quite interesting to see how people outside Japan have reacted to the announcement,” a 21-year-old says.

People are saying, ‘wow, she's the first female prime minister in the nation's past and that would be a great opportunity for women empowerment and equal rights in Japan’.

In my opinion that's a rather simplistic view.”

Instead, the young woman points to her “ideological stance and what she stands for,” adding: “She perpetuates the patriarchal system.”

A strong admirer of Margaret Thatcher, Sanae Takaichi has long aspired to be the “Iron Lady” of her country.

Similar to Thatcher, Takaichi is a firm conservative.

Observers say her leadership is a strategic decision from the governing Liberal Democratic Party to appeal to the increasingly right-leaning base which had lately shifted towards Japan's parties further to the right.

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

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

However, she did soften some of her messaging during her campaign – saying she supports giving tax incentives to businesses that offer daycare services to their employees and spoke of possible tax breaks for households spending on child-rearing.

Yet she has historically supported the notion of a conventional role for women in the community and in the home.

When it comes to women's issues, Takaichi is aligned with her country's less than impressive performance on gender issues.

Japan's Inequality in Perspective

Japanese women are among the most highly educated and most skilled in the globe and yet they face challenges with the demands of a conservative society that still directs them into traditional roles.

According to the latest gender gap index by the global organization, Japan ranked 118th out of among nearly 150 nations, with female representation in the field of politics particularly minimal.

Leadership positions have historically been held by men and Japan has faced difficulties to increase the quantity of women legislators and business leaders.

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

Progress is also sluggish when it comes to women's reproductive health: recently was it revealed that the “emergency” pill – a form of emergency contraception available without prescription in more than 90 countries – had finally been approved for non-prescription sales in Japan.

Mixed Responses to the Historic Appointment

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

“There is great significance in the new prime minister becoming prime minister, with a wider influence on society,” a former mayor – who was elected as the nation's youngest female city leader in 2012 – told Japan's Kyodo news agency.

Koshi argued Japan electing a female prime minister will “reduce psychological barriers” for women and girls, enabling them to believe it is acceptable to “excel” as authorities in companies and the community, despite biased expectations and norms still remain.

However Audrey Hill-Uekawa notes that, while it is notable Japan has its inaugural woman prime minister, it is important to recall it required her over three decades to reach that position.

“Additionally, she is not truly challenging the norm. She expresses the identical views as the men.”

Ms Hill-Uekawa further states that she ought not be placed on a pedestal just due to the fact she is a woman.

“It is essential to make sure we're talking about her policies. We need to be capable of evaluate her fairly as all other leaders.”

Political Background and Associations

It is not only what Takaichi has said which has caused individuals to describe her as a defender of the male-dominated system.

Additionally, it is apparent by who her champions within the LDP have been.

She was mentored of the deceased former hawkish prime minister Shinzo Abe, and was endorsed in the party vote by Taro Aso – a prominent member in the ruling party at the leadership of one of the government's most influential conservative blocs.

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

“I do feel that it is challenging for women to somewhat relate to her achievement because it promotes this notion that we have to be compliant with the status quo,” young adult a citizen remarks.

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

“They will demand women to be compliant, not oppose the beliefs that they hold, and it might make our job harder.”

Upcoming Obstacles and Expectations

Achieving this milestone, however, was just the first of the difficulties Takaichi will face – including tackling a slow growth and inflation and winning back the confidence of a frustrated and angry electorate, as well as welcoming the US leader 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.