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

It means a male-oriented culture and a political system that has long been dominated by men is now led by a female.

But while the appearances speak of a progressive moment, some women do not view her as an advocate for change.

It was rather fascinating to see how individuals outside Japan have reacted to the announcement,” a 21-year-old says.

“Everyone's like, ‘wow, she's the first female prime minister in the nation's past and that would be a great opportunity for female advancement and gender equality in Japan’.

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

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

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

And like Thatcher, Takaichi is a firm right-wing politician.

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

Takaichi opposes marriage equality and has consistently voted against laws that would allow married couples to have different last names, blocking many women from keeping their birth surnames.

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

Nonetheless, she did soften certain her statements during her campaign – saying she supports giving financial benefits to companies that provide childcare facilities to their employees and spoke of potential tax breaks for families investing in child-rearing.

Yet she has over the years backed the idea of a more traditional role for women in society and in the family.

Regarding women's issues, Takaichi is aligned with her country's less than impressive record on gender issues.

Japan's Inequality in Perspective

Japanese women are some of the most highly educated and most skilled in the globe and yet they face challenges with the expectations of a traditional culture that still pushes them into conventional positions.

Based on the latest equality ranking by the World Economic Forum, Japan ranked 118th among nearly 150 nations, with female representation in the political arena notably low.

Top roles have traditionally been dominated by males and Japan has struggled to increase the number of female lawmakers and corporate executives.

The world's fourth largest economy ranks last among the Group of Seven nations when it comes to the share of women in its legislative body. Specifically, females constitute about 15.7% 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 announced that the “emergency” pill – a type of post-coital birth control sold over the counter in over ninety nations – had finally been approved for over the counter use in Japan.

Differing Reactions to the Historic Leadership

Nonetheless, some see Takaichi's ascent as a critical juncture that could change how females perceive their opportunities.

“There is great significance in Ms Takaichi assuming the role of prime minister, with a broader impact on the public,” a former mayor – who was elected as the nation's most youthful woman city leader in 2012 – informed local media.

Koshi argued Japan having a woman prime minister will “reduce mental obstacles” for females of all ages, helping them feel it is normal to “excel” as authorities in businesses and the community, even as biased expectations and norms still persist.

However Audrey Hill-Uekawa points out that, while it is remarkable Japan has its first female leader, one must remember it required her more than 30 years to reach that office.

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

Ms Hill-Uekawa adds that she ought not be placed on a platform simply because she is a woman.

“We need to ensure we're talking about her policies. We must be able to evaluate her equally as all other leaders.”

Political Context and Associations

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

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

She was mentored of the late former hawkish prime minister a previous leader, and was backed in the party vote by a senior politician – a senior figure in the ruling party at the leadership of one of the ruling party's most influential right-wing factions.

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

“I believe that it is challenging for females to sort of identify with her success because it promotes this idea that we have to be obedient with the existing system,” young adult Minori Konishi remarks.

The 21-year-old concurs, stating that with her as a symbol for women in government, “the public are likely to anticipate the identical from women as too”.

“They will demand women to be conforming, not oppose the beliefs that they have, and it might make our role more difficult.”

Upcoming Obstacles and Anticipations

Achieving this milestone, though, was only the initial of the challenges Takaichi will face – including tackling a sluggish economy and rising prices and winning back the trust of a frustrated and angry electorate, as well as hosting the US leader within a short time of assuming office.

It's safe to say that no-one expects women's rights matters to be a top priority on her priority list.