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For many young girls in Japan currently, the image of Sanae Takaichi assuming leadership as the country's first ever female leader is powerful and influential.

This signifies a male-oriented culture and a government structure that has historically been controlled by men is now led by a female.

But while the appearances suggest a progressive moment, some women don't see her as an advocate for change.

It was rather fascinating to observe how individuals outside Japan have responded to the news,” a 21-year-old states.

“Everyone's like, ‘wow, she's the inaugural woman prime minister in the nation's past and that would be a significant chance 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,” adding: “She perpetuates 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 country.

Similar to Thatcher, Takaichi is a staunch conservative.

Analysts note her ascension is a tactical move from the governing Liberal Democratic Party to appeal to the more conservative supporters which had recently gravitated towards Japan's more extreme conservative groups.

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

She's also opposed to women being in eligible for the throne in the imperial family.

However, she did soften some of her statements during her election bid – stating she supports giving tax incentives to businesses that provide daycare services to their staff and mentioned possible deductions for families spending on child-rearing.

But she has historically supported the notion of a more traditional position for women in the community and in the home.

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

The Country's Gender Gap in Context

Japanese women are some of the most highly educated and most skilled in the globe and yet they struggle with the expectations of a traditional culture that still pushes them into traditional roles.

Based on the latest gender gap index by the global organization, Japan placed 118th out of among 148 nations, with women's presence in the field of politics notably low.

Top roles have traditionally been dominated by men and Japan has faced difficulties to increase the number 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 share of females in its national parliament. Specifically, females make up about 15.7% of legislators in Japan, the smallest proportion 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 form of post-coital birth control sold over the counter in over ninety nations – had finally been approved for over the counter use in Japan.

Mixed Responses to the Landmark Leadership

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

“There is great significance in the new prime minister becoming prime minister, with a wider influence on the public,” Naomi Koshi – who became the country's most youthful woman city leader in 2012 – told Japan's Kyodo news agency.

Koshi argued Japan electing a woman prime minister will “lower psychological barriers” for females of all ages, enabling them to believe it is normal to “excel” as authorities in businesses and society, even as biased expectations and norms still persist.

However a 20-year-old notes that, while it is notable Japan has its inaugural woman prime minister, it is important to recall it required her over three decades to reach that office.

“Additionally, she is not truly challenging the grain. She expresses the same thing as the male politicians.”

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

“We need to ensure we're discussing her policies. We need to be capable of evaluate her equally as everyone else.”

Political Context and Associations

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

Additionally, it is apparent by who her champions inside the party have been.

She was mentored of the deceased ex- conservative prime minister a previous leader, and was backed in the party vote by Taro Aso – a prominent member in the ruling party at the leadership of one of the government's most powerful conservative blocs.

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

“I believe that it is challenging for females to somewhat relate to her success because it furthers this idea that we must be compliant with the status quo,” young adult a citizen says.

Ms Ogura concurs, stating that with her as a figurehead for females in politics, “the public are going to expect the identical from us as too”.

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

Future Obstacles and Expectations

Achieving this milestone, though, was just the first of the difficulties Takaichi will face – not least tackling a sluggish economy and inflation and regaining the confidence of a frustrated and irate electorate, as in addition to welcoming the US leader within a short time of assuming office.

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