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For many young girls in Japan today, the sight of Sanae Takaichi assuming leadership as the country's first ever woman prime minister is impactful and formative.

This signifies a patriarchal society and a government structure that has long been dominated by men is currently headed by a woman.

But while the appearances suggest a forward-thinking era, some women do not view her as an champion of progress.

“It was quite fascinating to observe how individuals outside Japan have reacted to the news,” Ayda Ogura says.

People are saying, ‘wow, she's the first female prime minister in Japanese history and that would be a great opportunity for female advancement and gender equality in Japan’.

“I think that's a rather simplistic interpretation.”

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

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

Similar to Thatcher, Takaichi is a staunch right-wing politician.

Observers say her ascension is a tactical move from the ruling LDP 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 legislation that would allow married couples to have different last names, preventing many females from retaining their birth surnames.

Additionally, she is opposed to females being in eligible for the throne in the imperial family.

Nonetheless, she did soften certain her messaging during her election bid – saying she favours giving financial benefits to companies that provide daycare services to their staff and spoke of potential deductions for families spending on child-rearing.

Yet she has over the years backed the notion of a more traditional position for women in the community and in the family.

Regarding gender matters, Takaichi is consistent with her country's less than impressive performance on equality concerns.

The Country's Inequality in Perspective

Women in Japan are among the best educated and highest qualified in the globe and yet they struggle with the demands of a traditional culture that still directs them into conventional positions.

Based on the latest equality ranking by the World Economic Forum, Japan placed 118th out of among nearly 150 nations, with female representation in the field of politics notably low.

Top roles have historically been held by men and Japan has struggled to increase the number of women legislators and corporate executives.

The globally fourth biggest economy places at the bottom among the Group of Seven nations when it comes to the share of women in its legislative body. In detail, women constitute about less than 16% 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 “morning after” pill – a form of emergency contraception sold over the counter in more than 90 nations – had finally been approved for over the counter use in Japan.

Mixed Responses to the Historic Leadership

Nonetheless, certain individuals view Takaichi's rise to power as a pivotal moment that could alter how women view their opportunities.

“There is great significance in the new prime minister becoming prime minister, with a broader impact on the public,” a former mayor – who was elected as the nation's most youthful woman mayor in 2012 – informed local media.

Koshi argued Japan electing a female prime minister will “reduce psychological barriers” for females of all ages, enabling them to believe it is acceptable to “stand out” as authorities in companies and society, even as biased expectations and expectations still remain.

However a 20-year-old notes that, while it is remarkable Japan has its inaugural woman leader, it is important to recall it required her over three decades to get to that office.

“Additionally, she is not truly going against the norm. She's saying the identical views as the male politicians.”

Ms Hill-Uekawa adds that she shouldn't be put on a pedestal simply because she is a woman.

“We need to make sure we're discussing her policies. We need to be capable of evaluate her equally as all other leaders.”

Political Context and Associations

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

It's also evident by who her supporters inside the party have were.

She was mentored of the late former hawkish 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 ruling party's most influential conservative blocs.

His faction's support for Sanae Takaichi was crucial in uniting the conservative wing in her favor.

“I do feel that it is difficult for females to somewhat relate to her achievement because it furthers this idea that we have to be compliant with the status quo,” 21-year-old Minori Konishi says.

Ms Ogura agrees, saying that with her as a symbol for females in politics, “the public are likely to anticipate the identical from us as well”.

“They're going to expect women to be compliant, not go against the ideals that they have, and it might make our role harder.”

Upcoming Obstacles and Anticipations

Achieving this milestone, though, was just the first of the challenges Takaichi will encounter – including addressing a sluggish economy and inflation and winning back the trust of a frustrated and angry electorate, as in addition to welcoming the US leader within days of assuming office.

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