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To numerous young girls in Japan today, the image of Sanae Takaichi taking the helm as the nation's first ever woman prime minister is impactful and influential.

This signifies a patriarchal society and a political system that has long been dominated by men is now led by a female.

But while the appearances speak of a forward-thinking era, certain females don't see her as an advocate for change.

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

“Everyone's like, ‘wow, she's the first female prime minister in the nation's past and that would be a significant chance for female advancement and gender equality in Japan’.

“I think that's a very naive view.”

Instead, the young woman points to her “political beliefs 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 nation.

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

Analysts note her leadership is a strategic decision from the ruling LDP to appeal to the more conservative supporters 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 permit married couples to have separate surnames, blocking many women from retaining their maiden names.

Additionally, she is opposed to women being in line for succession in the imperial family.

However, she moderated certain her statements during her campaign – saying she supports giving tax incentives to businesses that provide childcare facilities to their employees and spoke of potential tax breaks for households investing in child-rearing.

Yet she has over the years backed the notion of a more traditional role for females in the community and in the family.

When it comes to women's issues, Takaichi is aligned with her country's less than impressive record on equality concerns.

Japan's Inequality in Context

Women in Japan are some of the best educated and most skilled in the globe and yet they face challenges with the expectations of a traditional culture that still directs them into conventional positions.

According to the latest equality ranking by the global organization, Japan ranked 118th out of among 148 nations, with female representation in the political arena particularly minimal.

Leadership positions have traditionally been dominated by men and Japan has faced difficulties to boost the quantity of female lawmakers and corporate executives.

The world's fourth largest economic power places last among the G7 countries when it comes to the percentage of women in its legislative body. In detail, women constitute about 15.7% of lawmakers in Japan, the lowest figure among the G7.

It is even slow when it comes to women's reproductive health: recently was it announced that the “emergency” pill – a form of post-coital birth control available without prescription in over ninety nations – had finally been approved for non-prescription sales in Japan.

Differing Responses to the Landmark Appointment

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

“It is highly meaningful in the new prime minister becoming prime minister, with a wider influence on society,” Naomi Koshi – who was elected as the country's most youthful woman mayor in 2012 – informed local media.

She contended Japan having a female prime minister will “reduce psychological barriers” for women and girls, enabling them to believe it is acceptable to “excel” as leaders in companies and society, despite biased expectations and norms still persist.

However a 20-year-old points out that, while it is notable Japan has its first female leader, one must remember it took her more than 30 years to reach that position.

“She's also not truly challenging the norm. She's saying the same thing as the men.”

Ms Hill-Uekawa further states that she shouldn't be put on a pedestal just due to the fact she is a woman.

“We need to ensure we're talking about her policies. We need to be capable of criticise her fairly as everyone else.”

Ideological Background 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.

Additionally, it is apparent by which individuals her supporters within the LDP have been.

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

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

“I do feel that it is challenging for females to sort of identify with her achievement because it promotes this notion that we must be compliant with the existing system,” 21-year-old Minori Konishi says.

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

“They will demand us to be compliant, not go against the ideals that they hold, and it could render our role more difficult.”

Upcoming Obstacles and Anticipations

Making history, however, was only the initial of the difficulties Takaichi will face – including addressing a sluggish economy and rising prices and winning back the confidence of a frustrated and irate electorate, as in addition to hosting the US leader within a short time of assuming office.

One can reasonably assume that no-one expects women's rights matters to be a top priority on her agenda.