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To numerous young girls in Japan currently, the sight of Sanae Takaichi taking the helm as the country's inaugural woman leader is powerful and influential.

This signifies a patriarchal society and a political system that has historically been controlled by men is currently headed by a female.

However, although the optics speak of a progressive moment, some women don't see her as an advocate for change.

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

“Everyone's like, ‘wow, she's the inaugural woman prime minister in the nation's past and that would be a significant chance for women empowerment and gender equality in Japan’.

In my opinion that's a very naive view.”

Conversely, Ms Ogura highlights her “political beliefs and what she represents,” noting: “She perpetuates the male-dominated structure.”

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

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

Observers say her ascension is a tactical move from the ruling LDP to appeal to the more conservative supporters which had lately shifted towards Japan's parties further to the right.

The leader is against same-sex marriage and has long stood against laws that would allow married couples to have separate surnames, blocking many females from keeping their birth surnames.

She's also opposed to females being in eligible for the throne in the royal household.

Nonetheless, she did soften some of her messaging during her campaign – saying she supports giving tax incentives to companies that provide childcare facilities to their employees and spoke of potential tax breaks for households investing in child-rearing.

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

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

The Country's Gender Gap in Perspective

Women in Japan are some of the best educated and highest qualified in the globe and yet they face challenges with the demands of a conservative society that still pushes them into traditional roles.

According to the latest equality ranking by the global organization, Japan placed 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 faced difficulties to increase the quantity of female lawmakers and business leaders.

The world's fourth largest economic power ranks last among the Group of Seven nations when it comes to the share of females in its legislative body. Specifically, females constitute about less than 16% of legislators in Japan, the lowest figure among the seven major economies.

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

Differing Responses to the Landmark Appointment

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

“It is highly meaningful in the new prime minister becoming prime minister, with a broader impact on society,” a former mayor – who was elected as the nation's most youthful woman city leader in 2012 – informed Japan's Kyodo news agency.

She contended Japan electing a woman prime minister will “reduce psychological barriers” for women and girls, helping them feel it is acceptable to “excel” as authorities in companies and the community, even as biased expectations and expectations still remain.

But Audrey Hill-Uekawa points out that, while it is remarkable 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 really going against 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.

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

Ideological Context and Influences

It is not just what Takaichi has stated which has led people to label her as a defender of the male-dominated system.

It's also apparent by who her supporters within the LDP have were.

She's the protégé of the deceased former hawkish prime minister Shinzo Abe, and was backed in the leadership election by a senior politician – a senior figure in the ruling party at the leadership of one of the ruling party's most influential conservative blocs.

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

“I believe that it is challenging for females to somewhat identify with her achievement because it promotes this idea that we must be obedient with the status quo,” 21-year-old Minori Konishi remarks.

The 21-year-old concurs, stating that with her as a symbol for females in government, “people are likely to anticipate the same from women as well”.

“They're going to expect us to be compliant, not go against the ideals that they have, and it could render our role more difficult.”

Upcoming Challenges and Expectations

Making history, however, was only the initial of the difficulties Takaichi will encounter – not least tackling a sluggish economy and inflation and winning back the trust of a discontented and irate voting public, as well as hosting president Trump within days of taking power.

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