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To numerous young girls in Japan today, the image of Sanae Takaichi assuming leadership as the country's inaugural female leader is powerful and formative.

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

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

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

“Everyone's like, ‘wow, she's the first female prime minister in Japanese history and that would be a significant chance for female advancement and equal rights in Japan’.

“I think that's a very naive view.”

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

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

And like Thatcher, Takaichi is a firm conservative.

Observers say her ascension is a tactical move from the governing Liberal Democratic Party to appeal to the increasingly right-leaning supporters which had recently gravitated towards Japan's parties further to the right.

Takaichi opposes same-sex marriage and has long stood against laws that would permit married couples to have separate surnames, preventing many women from retaining their birth surnames.

Additionally, she is against women being in eligible for the throne in the imperial family.

Nonetheless, she moderated some of her messaging during her election bid – stating she supports giving tax incentives to businesses that offer childcare facilities to their staff and spoke of potential tax breaks for households investing in childcare.

But she has over the years backed the idea of a conventional role for females in the community and in the family.

Regarding women's issues, Takaichi is consistent with her country's subpar performance on gender issues.

Japan'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 expectations of a traditional culture that still pushes them into conventional positions.

According to the latest gender gap index by the global organization, Japan placed 118th among nearly 150 nations, with women's presence in the field of politics particularly minimal.

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

The globally fourth biggest economic power ranks last among the G7 countries when it comes to the share of females in its national parliament. Specifically, women make up about 15.7% of legislators in Japan, the lowest figure among the seven major economies.

Progress is also sluggish when it comes to women's reproductive health: recently was it revealed that the “morning after” pill – a form of emergency contraception sold over the counter in more than 90 nations – had finally been approved for non-prescription sales in Japan.

Mixed Reactions to the Historic Appointment

Even so, certain individuals view Takaichi's rise to power as a pivotal moment that could alter how females perceive their prospects.

“It is highly meaningful in the new prime minister assuming the role of prime minister, with a broader impact on society,” a former mayor – who became the nation's most youthful woman mayor in 2012 – told Japan's Kyodo news agency.

Koshi argued Japan electing a woman prime minister will “reduce mental obstacles” for females of all ages, helping them feel it is normal to “excel” as leaders in companies and the community, despite gender-based stereotypes and norms still persist.

But a 20-year-old points out that, while it is remarkable Japan has its first female prime minister, one must remember it took her more than 30 years to get to that office.

“She's also not truly challenging the norm. She's saying the identical views as the male politicians.”

Ms Hill-Uekawa adds that she shouldn't be put on a pedestal simply because she is a woman.

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

Ideological Context and Influences

It is not only what Takaichi has said which has caused individuals to describe her as a supporter of the male-dominated system.

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

She's the protégé of the late ex- conservative prime minister Shinzo Abe, and was endorsed in the leadership election by Taro Aso – a senior figure in the LDP at the leadership of one of the ruling party's most influential right-wing factions.

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

“I do feel that it is difficult for women to somewhat relate to her achievement because it promotes this idea that we must be obedient with the existing system,” young adult a citizen remarks.

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

“They're going to expect us to be compliant, not go against the ideals that they hold, and it could render our job harder.”

Future Obstacles and Anticipations

Making history, though, was just the first of the difficulties Takaichi will encounter – not least addressing a slow growth and rising prices and winning back the confidence of a frustrated and angry electorate, as in addition to hosting president Trump within days of taking power.

One can reasonably assume that few anticipate gender equality issues to be high on her agenda.