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To numerous young girls in Japan today, the image of Sanae Takaichi assuming leadership as the country's inaugural woman prime minister is powerful and formative.

This signifies a patriarchal society and a government structure that has historically been controlled by men is now led by a woman.

However, although the appearances suggest a progressive moment, some women don't see her as an champion of progress.

“It was quite interesting to observe how individuals beyond Japan's borders have responded to the news,” Ayda Ogura states.

People are saying, ‘wow, she's the first female 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 rather simplistic interpretation.”

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

A big fan of Britain's first female prime minister, Sanae Takaichi has always wanted 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 recently gravitated towards Japan's more extreme conservative groups.

The leader is against same-sex marriage and has consistently voted against legislation that would allow spouses to have different last names, preventing many females from keeping their birth surnames.

Additionally, she is against females being in eligible for the throne in the royal household.

However, she did soften certain her messaging during her campaign – saying she favours giving financial benefits to companies that offer daycare services to their employees and mentioned possible deductions for families spending on child-rearing.

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

Regarding women's issues, Takaichi is consistent with her country's subpar record on gender issues.

Japan's Inequality in Context

Japanese women are some of the best educated and most skilled in the world and yet they face challenges with the expectations of a traditional culture that still pushes them into traditional roles.

According to the latest equality ranking by the global organization, Japan ranked 118th among 148 nations, with women's presence in the political arena notably low.

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

The globally fourth biggest economy places at the bottom among the Group of Seven nations when it comes to the share of females in its national parliament. Specifically, women make up about 15.7% of legislators in Japan, the lowest figure among the G7.

Progress is also sluggish when it comes to female healthcare: only this week was it revealed that the “emergency” pill – a type of post-coital birth control sold over the counter in over ninety nations – had at last been authorized for over the counter use in Japan.

Mixed Reactions to the Historic Leadership

Even so, some see Takaichi's ascent as a pivotal moment that could change how women view their prospects.

“It is highly meaningful in Ms Takaichi assuming the role of prime minister, with a broader impact on society,” Naomi Koshi – who became the nation's youngest female city leader in 2012 – informed Japan's Kyodo news agency.

She contended Japan electing a female prime minister will “reduce mental obstacles” for females of all ages, helping them feel it is acceptable to “excel” as authorities in companies and the community, even as biased expectations and expectations still persist.

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 truly challenging the grain. She's saying the same thing as the men.”

The young woman adds that she ought not be placed on a platform simply because she is a woman.

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

Ideological Context and Associations

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

Additionally, it is apparent by who her supporters within the LDP have were.

She was mentored of the late ex- hawkish prime minister Shinzo Abe, and was endorsed in the party vote by Taro Aso – a senior figure in the LDP at the head of one of the government's most influential conservative blocs.

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

“I do feel that it is challenging for women to somewhat relate to her success because it promotes this notion that we have to be obedient with the status quo,” young adult Minori Konishi remarks.

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

“They will demand us to be conforming, not go against the beliefs that they have, and it might make our job more difficult.”

Upcoming Obstacles and Expectations

Achieving this milestone, though, was just the first of the challenges Takaichi will encounter – not least addressing a sluggish economy and inflation and winning back the confidence of a frustrated and angry voting public, as in addition to welcoming president Trump within a short time of taking power.

One can reasonably assume that no-one expects women's rights matters to be a top priority on her priority list.