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For many young girls in Japan today, the image of Sanae Takaichi taking the helm as the nation's inaugural female prime minister is powerful and formative.

It means a patriarchal society and a political system that has long been dominated by men is currently headed by a female.

However, although the optics suggest a forward-thinking era, some women don't see her as an champion of progress.

It was rather fascinating to see how people outside Japan have responded to the announcement,” Ayda Ogura states.

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’.

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

Conversely, Ms Ogura highlights her “ideological stance and what she represents,” adding: “She perpetuates the male-dominated structure.”

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 staunch conservative.

Observers say her leadership is a tactical move from the governing Liberal Democratic Party to attract the increasingly right-leaning supporters which had lately shifted towards Japan's more extreme conservative groups.

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

She's also against women being in eligible for the throne in the imperial family.

However, she did soften certain her statements during her campaign – saying she supports giving financial benefits to companies that offer childcare facilities to their employees and spoke of potential deductions for families investing in childcare.

But she has over the years supported the notion of a more traditional role for females in society and in the family.

Regarding women's issues, Takaichi is aligned with her nation's subpar record on equality concerns.

Japan's Inequality in Perspective

Women in Japan are among the most highly educated and highest qualified in the globe and yet they face challenges with the expectations of a traditional culture that still pushes them into traditional roles.

According to the latest gender gap index by the World Economic Forum, Japan placed 118th among nearly 150 nations, with female representation in the field of politics particularly minimal.

Top roles have traditionally been dominated by men and Japan has struggled to increase the quantity of women legislators and business leaders.

The globally fourth biggest economic power places last among the G7 countries when it comes to the share of females in its legislative body. In detail, females constitute about less than 16% of lawmakers in Japan, the smallest proportion among the G7.

It is even slow when it comes to women's reproductive health: recently was it revealed that the “morning after” pill – a form of emergency contraception sold over the counter in over ninety nations – had at last been authorized for non-prescription sales in Japan.

Differing Responses to the Historic Appointment

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

“It is highly meaningful in Ms Takaichi becoming prime minister, with a wider influence on society,” Naomi Koshi – who was elected as the country's youngest female mayor in 2012 – told Japan's Kyodo news agency.

Koshi argued Japan electing a woman prime minister will “reduce mental obstacles” for females of all ages, enabling them to believe it is acceptable to “excel” as authorities in businesses and the community, even as gender-based stereotypes and norms still remain.

But a 20-year-old points out that, while it is remarkable Japan has its inaugural woman prime minister, it is important to recall it took her more than 30 years to reach that position.

“Additionally, she is not really challenging the norm. She expresses the same thing as the men.”

Ms Hill-Uekawa further states that she shouldn't be put on a platform just due to the fact she is a woman.

“We need to ensure we're talking about her agenda. We must be able to evaluate her equally as everyone else.”

Political Background and Influences

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

Additionally, it is apparent by which individuals her champions within the LDP have were.

She was mentored of the deceased former hawkish prime minister Shinzo Abe, and was backed in the party vote by a senior politician – a senior figure in the LDP at the leadership of one of the ruling party's most powerful right-wing factions.

Their group's backing for Sanae Takaichi was pivotal in uniting the party's right wing in her favor.

“I do feel that it is difficult for women to sort of relate to her achievement because it furthers this idea that we must be obedient with the status quo,” young adult Minori Konishi says.

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

“They're going to expect women to be compliant, not oppose the ideals that they hold, and it could render our role more difficult.”

Future Obstacles and Expectations

Making history, though, was just the first of the challenges Takaichi will face – not least tackling a sluggish economy and inflation and regaining the trust of a frustrated and angry electorate, as in addition to hosting president Trump within days of taking power.

One can reasonably assume that few anticipate gender equality issues to be high on her agenda.