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

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

But while the appearances speak of a forward-thinking era, some women do not view her as an advocate for change.

It was rather fascinating to see how individuals outside Japan have responded to the announcement,” Ayda Ogura says.

People are saying, ‘wow, she's the inaugural woman prime minister in Japanese history and that would be a great opportunity for women empowerment and equal rights in Japan’.

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

Instead, the young woman highlights her “ideological stance and what she stands for,” noting: “She reinforces the male-dominated structure.”

A big fan of Margaret Thatcher, Sanae Takaichi has long aspired to be the “Iron Lady” of her nation.

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

Observers say her leadership is a tactical move from the ruling LDP to attract the increasingly right-leaning base which had recently gravitated towards Japan's parties further to the right.

Takaichi opposes same-sex marriage and has consistently voted against laws that would allow spouses to have separate surnames, preventing many females from retaining their maiden names.

Additionally, she is against women being in line for succession in the royal household.

Nonetheless, she did soften some of her statements during her campaign – saying she favours giving financial benefits to businesses that offer daycare services to their staff and mentioned potential deductions for families spending on childcare.

Yet she has over the years supported the notion of a conventional position for women in society and in the home.

Regarding gender matters, Takaichi is consistent with her country's less than impressive performance on equality concerns.

The Country's Gender Gap in Perspective

Women in Japan are among the most highly educated and highest qualified in the globe and yet they face challenges with the expectations of a conservative society that still directs them into traditional roles.

Based on the latest equality ranking by the World Economic Forum, Japan placed 118th out of among nearly 150 countries, with female representation in the political arena notably low.

Leadership positions have traditionally been dominated by males and Japan has struggled to increase the number of female lawmakers and corporate executives.

The world's fourth largest economic power ranks at the bottom among the Group of Seven nations when it comes to the share of women in its legislative body. Specifically, women constitute about less than 16% of legislators in Japan, the smallest proportion among the seven major economies.

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 sold over the counter in over ninety countries – had at last been authorized for non-prescription sales in Japan.

Differing Responses to the Historic Appointment

Even so, some see Takaichi's ascent as a pivotal moment that could change how women perceive their prospects.

“There is great significance in Ms Takaichi assuming the role of prime minister, with a broader impact on society,” Naomi Koshi – who became the nation's most youthful woman mayor in 2012 – told Japan's Kyodo news agency.

She contended Japan having a woman prime minister will “lower mental obstacles” for women and girls, enabling them to believe it is normal to “excel” as leaders in companies and society, despite biased expectations and expectations still persist.

However a 20-year-old points out that, while it is notable Japan has its inaugural woman leader, it is important to recall it required her over three decades to get to that office.

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

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

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

Political Background 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 which individuals her champions within the LDP have were.

She's the protégé of the deceased former conservative prime minister Shinzo Abe, and was endorsed in the leadership election by a senior politician – a senior figure in the LDP at the head of one of the government's most powerful conservative blocs.

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

“I do feel that it is challenging for females to somewhat identify with her success because it promotes this idea that we have to be obedient with the existing system,” 21-year-old Minori Konishi says.

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

“They will demand women to be compliant, not oppose the beliefs that they hold, and it could render our job more difficult.”

Future Obstacles and Expectations

Achieving this milestone, though, was just the first of the challenges Takaichi will face – including tackling a slow growth and inflation and winning back the trust of a discontented and angry voting public, as in addition to welcoming the US leader within days of assuming office.

It's safe to say that no-one expects gender equality issues to be a top priority on her priority list.