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

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

However, although the optics suggest a progressive moment, certain females do not view her as an advocate for change.

It was rather fascinating to see how people beyond Japan's borders have reacted to the news,” Ayda Ogura states.

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

“I think that's a very naive view.”

Conversely, Ms Ogura highlights her “ideological stance and what she represents,” noting: “She reinforces the male-dominated structure.”

A big fan 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 conservative.

Analysts note her ascension is a tactical move from the governing Liberal Democratic Party to attract the increasingly right-leaning supporters which had lately shifted towards Japan's more extreme conservative groups.

Takaichi opposes marriage equality and has long stood against legislation that would allow spouses to have different last names, preventing many females from retaining their maiden names.

Additionally, she is opposed to women being in eligible for the throne in the royal household.

Nonetheless, she moderated certain her messaging during her campaign – stating she favours giving financial benefits to companies that offer daycare services to their employees and mentioned potential tax breaks for families investing in childcare.

But she has historically supported the notion of a more traditional role for females in society and in the home.

Regarding gender matters, 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 highest qualified in the globe and yet they struggle with the demands of a conservative society that still pushes them into conventional positions.

According to the latest gender gap index by the World Economic Forum, Japan placed 118th among 148 nations, with female representation in the political arena notably low.

Leadership positions have traditionally been dominated by males and Japan has struggled to boost the number of female lawmakers and business leaders.

The globally fourth biggest economic power ranks last among the G7 countries when it comes to the percentage of women in its legislative body. In detail, females constitute about less than 16% of legislators in Japan, the smallest proportion among the seven major economies.

It is even slow when it comes to female healthcare: only this week was it revealed that the “morning after” pill – a form of emergency contraception sold over the counter in more than 90 countries – had finally been approved for non-prescription sales in Japan.

Mixed Reactions to the Historic Appointment

Nonetheless, certain individuals view Takaichi's ascent as a critical juncture that could alter how females view their prospects.

“There is great significance in the new prime minister becoming prime minister, with a broader impact on the public,” 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 women and girls, enabling them to believe it is normal to “stand out” as leaders in companies and society, even as biased expectations and norms still persist.

But Audrey Hill-Uekawa notes that, while it is notable Japan has its first female leader, one must remember it required her over three decades to get to that position.

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

The young woman adds that she shouldn't be put on a pedestal simply because she is a woman.

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

Political Background and Influences

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

Additionally, it is apparent by which individuals her supporters inside the party have were.

She's the protégé of the late former hawkish prime minister Shinzo Abe, and was backed in the leadership election by Taro Aso – a senior figure in the LDP at the leadership of one of the government's most influential right-wing factions.

His faction's backing for Sanae Takaichi was crucial in consolidating the conservative wing behind her.

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

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

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

Upcoming Obstacles and Expectations

Making history, though, was just the first of the challenges Takaichi will encounter – including tackling a slow growth and rising prices and winning back the confidence of a frustrated and angry voting public, as well as hosting president Trump within days of assuming office.

One can reasonably assume that few anticipate women's rights matters to be high on her agenda.