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

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

However, although the optics suggest a progressive moment, some women don't see her as an champion of progress.

“It was quite fascinating to see how individuals outside Japan have reacted to the news,” Ayda Ogura states.

“Everyone's like, ‘wow, she's the inaugural woman prime minister in Japanese history and that would be a great opportunity for women empowerment and gender equality in Japan’.

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

Instead, the young woman points to her “political beliefs and what she stands for,” noting: “She perpetuates the male-dominated structure.”

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

Similar to Thatcher, Takaichi is a staunch conservative.

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

The leader is against marriage equality and has consistently voted against laws that would permit spouses to have separate surnames, blocking many women from keeping their maiden names.

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

Nonetheless, she moderated certain her messaging during her campaign – stating she favours giving financial benefits to companies that offer childcare facilities to their staff and spoke of potential tax breaks for families spending on childcare.

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

When it comes to women's issues, Takaichi is aligned with her country's subpar performance on gender issues.

The Country's Gender Gap in Context

Japanese women are among the most highly educated and most skilled 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 World Economic Forum, Japan ranked 118th out of among nearly 150 nations, with female representation in the political arena notably low.

Leadership positions have historically been held by men and Japan has struggled to increase the quantity of women legislators and business leaders.

The world's fourth largest economy places at the bottom among the Group of Seven nations when it comes to the share of females in its legislative body. Specifically, females 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 announced that the “emergency” pill – a type of post-coital birth control available without prescription in over ninety countries – had finally been approved for over the counter use in Japan.

Differing Responses to the Landmark Leadership

Even so, some see Takaichi's rise to power as a critical juncture that could change 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 was elected as the nation's most youthful woman mayor in 2012 – told local media.

She contended Japan having a female prime minister will “lower mental obstacles” for females of all ages, helping them feel it is normal to “stand out” as authorities in businesses and the community, despite gender-based stereotypes and expectations still persist.

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

“Additionally, she is not truly going against the norm. She expresses the identical views as the male politicians.”

The young woman adds that she ought not be placed on a platform simply because she is a woman.

“It is essential to ensure we're discussing her agenda. We need to be able to evaluate her equally as everyone else.”

Ideological Context and Associations

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

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

She's the protégé of the late ex- hawkish prime minister a previous leader, and was backed in the party vote by Taro Aso – a senior figure in the LDP at the head of one of the government's most powerful right-wing factions.

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

“I do feel that it is difficult for women to somewhat relate to her success because it promotes this notion that we have to be obedient with the existing system,” 21-year-old Minori Konishi remarks.

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

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

Future Obstacles and Anticipations

Making history, however, was just the first of the difficulties Takaichi will face – not least tackling a slow growth and inflation and winning back the confidence of a discontented and angry voting public, as well as welcoming president Trump within days of assuming office.

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