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For many young girls in Japan today, the sight of Sanae Takaichi assuming leadership as the nation's inaugural female prime minister is impactful and influential.

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 forward-thinking era, some women do not view her as an champion of progress.

“It was quite interesting to observe how people beyond Japan's borders have responded to the news,” a 21-year-old says.

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 equal rights in Japan’.

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

Instead, the young woman highlights her “ideological stance and what she stands for,” adding: “She reinforces the male-dominated structure.”

A strong admirer of Margaret Thatcher, Sanae Takaichi has long aspired to be the “Iron Lady” of her nation.

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

Analysts note her ascension is a strategic decision from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party to attract the more conservative base which had recently gravitated towards Japan's more extreme conservative groups.

Takaichi opposes same-sex marriage and has long stood against legislation that would allow married couples to have different last names, blocking many females from keeping their birth surnames.

She's also against females being in line for succession in the royal household.

Nonetheless, she did soften some of her messaging during her election bid – saying she supports giving tax incentives to companies that provide daycare services to their employees and mentioned possible deductions for households investing in childcare.

But she has historically backed the idea of a conventional position for women in society and in the home.

Regarding gender matters, Takaichi is consistent with her nation's less than impressive record on gender issues.

The Country's Inequality in Perspective

Women in Japan are among the most highly educated and highest qualified in the world and yet they face challenges with the expectations 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 women's presence in the political arena particularly minimal.

Leadership positions have traditionally been dominated by males and Japan has faced difficulties to boost the quantity of women legislators and corporate executives.

The globally fourth biggest economy ranks last among the Group of Seven nations when it comes to the share of females in its national parliament. In detail, women constitute about 15.7% of legislators in Japan, the lowest figure among the seven major economies.

It is even slow when it comes to female healthcare: recently was it revealed that the “morning after” pill – a type of emergency contraception available without prescription in more than 90 countries – had finally been approved for non-prescription sales in Japan.

Differing Responses to the Historic Appointment

Even so, certain individuals view Takaichi's ascent as a pivotal moment that could alter how women perceive their prospects.

“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 country's youngest female city leader in 2012 – informed Japan's Kyodo news agency.

Koshi argued Japan electing a woman prime minister will “lower psychological barriers” for females of all ages, helping them feel it is normal to “stand out” as authorities in companies and the community, even as biased expectations and expectations still remain.

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 position.

“She's also not really going against the norm. She expresses the identical views as the men.”

Ms Hill-Uekawa further states that she ought not be placed on a pedestal just due to the fact she is a woman.

“We need to make sure we're talking about her agenda. We need to be able to evaluate her equally as all other leaders.”

Ideological Context and Influences

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

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

She's the protégé of the late ex- conservative prime minister a previous leader, and was endorsed in the leadership election by Taro Aso – a prominent member in the LDP at the leadership of one of the ruling party's most powerful conservative blocs.

His faction's support for Sanae Takaichi was pivotal in consolidating the conservative wing behind her.

“I believe that it is difficult for women to sort of identify with her achievement because it promotes this idea that we have to be compliant with the status quo,” young adult a citizen says.

The 21-year-old concurs, saying that with her as a figurehead for females in government, “people are going to expect the identical from women as too”.

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

Future Challenges and Expectations

Achieving this milestone, however, was only the initial of the challenges Takaichi will face – including addressing a slow growth and inflation and winning back the trust of a frustrated and irate voting public, as well as hosting president Trump within days of taking power.

One can reasonably assume that few anticipate women's rights matters to be high on her priority list.