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For many young girls in Japan today, the sight of Sanae Takaichi taking the helm as the nation's first ever female leader is impactful and influential.

This signifies a male-oriented culture and a political system that has long been dominated by men is currently headed by a female.

However, although the appearances speak of a progressive moment, certain females don't see her as an champion of progress.

It was rather fascinating to observe how people beyond Japan's borders have reacted to the announcement,” a 21-year-old states.

“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 equal rights in Japan’.

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

Conversely, Ms Ogura highlights her “ideological stance and what she represents,” adding: “She reinforces the patriarchal system.”

A strong admirer of Britain's first female prime minister, Sanae Takaichi has always wanted to be the “Iron Lady” of her nation.

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

Analysts note her ascension is a tactical move from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party to attract the increasingly right-leaning base which had recently gravitated towards Japan's parties further to the right.

Takaichi opposes marriage equality and has consistently voted against legislation that would permit spouses to have separate surnames, blocking many females from keeping their birth surnames.

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

However, she did soften certain her statements during her election bid – saying she supports giving financial benefits to companies that provide daycare services to their staff and spoke of possible tax breaks for families spending on childcare.

Yet she has historically supported the idea of a more traditional role for women in the community and in the home.

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

Japan's Inequality in Context

Japanese women are among the best educated and highest qualified in the globe and yet they struggle with the demands of a conservative society that still pushes them into traditional roles.

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

Top roles have traditionally been dominated by men and Japan has struggled to increase the quantity of women legislators and business leaders.

The globally fourth biggest economy ranks at the bottom among the Group of Seven nations when it comes to the percentage 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 women's reproductive health: only this week was it announced that the “morning after” pill – a type of post-coital birth control available without prescription in over ninety nations – had finally been approved for over the counter use in Japan.

Mixed Reactions to the Landmark Leadership

Even so, some see Takaichi's ascent as a critical juncture that could change how females view their prospects.

“There is great significance in the new prime minister assuming the role of prime minister, with a wider influence on the public,” a former mayor – who was elected as the country's youngest female mayor in 2012 – informed local media.

Koshi argued 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 businesses and the community, despite biased expectations and norms still remain.

However Audrey Hill-Uekawa points out that, while it is notable Japan has its inaugural woman prime minister, it is important to recall it required her more than 30 years to get to that office.

“She's also not really challenging the grain. She expresses the same thing as the men.”

The young woman further states that she ought not be placed on a platform just due to the fact she is a female.

“We need to make sure we're discussing her policies. We need to be capable of criticise her fairly as everyone else.”

Ideological Context and Associations

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

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

She was mentored of the late former hawkish prime minister Shinzo Abe, and was endorsed in the leadership election by a senior politician – a prominent member in the ruling party at the leadership of one of the ruling party's most influential conservative blocs.

His faction's backing for Sanae Takaichi was pivotal in consolidating the party's right wing behind her.

“I do feel that it is challenging for females to sort of identify with her success because it furthers this idea that we must be compliant with the existing system,” young adult Minori Konishi says.

The 21-year-old agrees, stating that with her as a figurehead for women in politics, “the public are going to expect the same from women as too”.

“They're going to expect us to be compliant, not oppose the ideals that they have, and it might make our role more difficult.”

Future Challenges and Anticipations

Achieving this milestone, however, was only the initial of the difficulties Takaichi will face – including addressing a sluggish economy and rising prices and winning back the confidence of a frustrated and angry electorate, as in addition to welcoming president Trump within days of taking power.

One can reasonably assume that no-one expects gender equality issues to be high on her priority list.