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To numerous young girls in Japan today, the image of Sanae Takaichi taking the helm as the country's inaugural woman leader is powerful and formative.

This signifies a male-oriented culture and a government structure that has long been dominated by men is currently headed by a woman.

However, although the appearances speak of a forward-thinking era, some women don't see her as an advocate for change.

It was rather interesting to see how individuals beyond Japan's borders have reacted to the announcement,” Ayda Ogura says.

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

In my opinion that's a rather simplistic interpretation.”

Instead, the young woman points to her “ideological stance and what she represents,” adding: “She perpetuates the patriarchal system.”

A big fan of Margaret Thatcher, Sanae Takaichi has always wanted to be the “Iron Lady” of her country.

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

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

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

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

Nonetheless, she moderated certain her statements during her election bid – saying she supports giving tax incentives to companies that provide daycare services to their employees and mentioned potential tax breaks for households investing in child-rearing.

But she has over the years backed the notion of a conventional role for females in society and in the home.

Regarding gender matters, Takaichi is aligned with her country's subpar performance on gender issues.

The Country's Gender Gap in Perspective

Japanese women are among the best educated and highest qualified in the world and yet they struggle with the demands of a conservative society that still pushes them into traditional roles.

Based on the latest equality ranking by the World Economic Forum, Japan ranked 118th among nearly 150 nations, with women's presence in the political arena particularly minimal.

Top roles have traditionally been dominated by men and Japan has faced difficulties to increase the quantity of women legislators and corporate executives.

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, women make up 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: only this week was it announced that the “morning after” pill – a form of emergency contraception sold over the counter in more than 90 nations – had finally been approved for non-prescription sales in Japan.

Differing Reactions to the Landmark Leadership

Nonetheless, some see Takaichi's rise to power as a pivotal moment that could change how women perceive their opportunities.

“It is highly meaningful in Ms Takaichi becoming prime minister, with a broader impact on society,” a former mayor – who became the country's most youthful woman city leader in 2012 – told Japan's Kyodo news agency.

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

However Audrey Hill-Uekawa points out that, while it is remarkable Japan has its first female prime minister, it is important to recall it took her over three decades to reach that office.

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

Ms Hill-Uekawa further states that she ought not be placed on a pedestal simply because she is a woman.

“We need to ensure we're talking about her agenda. We must be able to evaluate her fairly as all other leaders.”

Political Background and Influences

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

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

She's the protégé of the deceased ex- conservative prime minister a previous leader, and was endorsed in the leadership election by a senior politician – a senior figure in the ruling party at the head of one of the ruling party's most influential conservative blocs.

His faction's support for Sanae Takaichi was pivotal in uniting the conservative wing in her favor.

“I do feel that it is challenging for women to somewhat identify with her achievement because it promotes this notion that we must be obedient with the status quo,” young adult a citizen remarks.

The 21-year-old agrees, stating that with her as a figurehead for females in politics, “people are going to expect the identical from women as well”.

“They're going to expect women to be conforming, not oppose the ideals that they have, and it might make our job more difficult.”

Upcoming Challenges and Expectations

Achieving this milestone, however, was just the first of the difficulties Takaichi will encounter – not least addressing a sluggish economy and inflation and regaining the confidence of a discontented and irate electorate, as in addition to hosting the US leader within days of assuming office.

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