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

This signifies a patriarchal society and a political system that has long been dominated by men is now led by a woman.

However, although the optics speak of a forward-thinking era, some women don't see her as an champion of progress.

“It was quite fascinating to see how individuals beyond Japan's borders have reacted to the news,” a 21-year-old says.

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

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

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

A big fan of Britain's first female prime minister, Sanae Takaichi has long aspired to be the “Iron Lady” of her country.

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

Analysts note her ascension is a tactical move 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 legislation that would allow married couples to have separate surnames, blocking many females from retaining their maiden names.

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

However, she did soften certain her statements during her election bid – stating she favours giving tax incentives to companies that provide daycare services to their staff and spoke of possible deductions for households spending on childcare.

Yet she has over the years supported the idea of a conventional role for females in society and in the family.

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

Japan's Gender Gap in Context

Women in Japan are some of the most highly educated and highest qualified in the world and yet they struggle with the expectations of a traditional culture that still pushes them into traditional roles.

Based on the latest equality ranking by the World Economic Forum, Japan ranked 118th among nearly 150 countries, with women's presence in the field of politics notably low.

Leadership positions have traditionally been dominated by men and Japan has faced difficulties to boost the number of female lawmakers and business leaders.

The world's fourth largest economic power places at the bottom among the Group of Seven nations when it comes to the share of women in its legislative body. In detail, females make up about less than 16% of lawmakers in Japan, the lowest figure among the seven major economies.

It is even slow when it comes to women's reproductive health: only this week was it announced that the “morning after” pill – a form of emergency contraception available without prescription in over ninety countries – had finally been approved for over the counter use in Japan.

Differing Responses to the Historic Appointment

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

“It is highly meaningful in the new prime minister assuming the role of prime minister, with a wider influence on society,” a former mayor – who became the country's youngest female city leader in 2012 – informed Japan's Kyodo news agency.

Koshi argued Japan electing a female prime minister will “reduce mental obstacles” for women and girls, enabling them to believe it is acceptable to “stand out” as leaders in businesses and society, even as biased expectations and norms still persist.

But Audrey Hill-Uekawa notes that, while it is remarkable Japan has its first female leader, one must remember it took her more than 30 years to get to that position.

“She's also not truly challenging the norm. She expresses the same thing as the male politicians.”

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

“It is essential to make sure we're talking about her agenda. We must be able to evaluate her fairly as everyone else.”

Ideological Context and Influences

It is not just what Takaichi has said which has caused individuals to describe her as a supporter of the patriarchy.

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

She was mentored of the deceased former hawkish prime minister a previous leader, and was endorsed in the leadership election by Taro Aso – a senior figure in the LDP at the head of one of the government'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 women to somewhat relate to her achievement because it promotes this idea that we must be obedient with the status quo,” 21-year-old a citizen remarks.

Ms Ogura agrees, stating that with her as a figurehead for females in government, “people are likely to anticipate the identical from women as too”.

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

Upcoming Challenges and Expectations

Making history, however, was just the first of the difficulties Takaichi will face – including tackling a slow growth and inflation and winning back the trust of a discontented and irate electorate, as in addition to welcoming president Trump within days of taking power.

It's safe to say that few anticipate gender equality issues to be a top priority on her priority list.