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For many young girls in Japan currently, the image of Sanae Takaichi taking the helm as the nation's inaugural female leader is impactful and formative.

It means a male-oriented culture and a government structure that has historically been controlled by men is currently headed by a female.

But while the optics suggest a progressive moment, certain females don't see her as an champion of progress.

“It was quite fascinating to observe how individuals outside Japan have responded to the news,” Ayda Ogura states.

People are saying, ‘wow, she's the inaugural woman prime minister in Japanese history and that would be a significant chance for female advancement and gender equality in Japan’.

In my opinion that's a very naive view.”

Instead, Ms Ogura points to her “political beliefs and what she stands for,” adding: “She perpetuates 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 country.

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

Analysts note her ascension is a tactical move from the ruling LDP to attract the increasingly right-leaning base which had recently gravitated towards Japan's more extreme conservative groups.

The leader is against marriage equality and has consistently voted against laws that would permit spouses to have separate surnames, blocking many females from keeping their maiden names.

She's also against females being in line for succession in the imperial family.

Nonetheless, she moderated certain her statements during her campaign – stating she supports giving tax incentives to companies that provide daycare services to their staff and mentioned potential tax breaks for families investing in childcare.

But she has over the years backed the idea of a conventional position for women in the community and in the family.

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

Japan's Inequality in Perspective

Japanese women are some of the most highly educated and most skilled in the globe and yet they struggle with the demands of a conservative society that still pushes them into conventional positions.

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

Top roles have traditionally been dominated by men and Japan has faced difficulties to boost the quantity of female lawmakers and business leaders.

The world's fourth largest economic power places at the bottom among the G7 countries when it comes to the percentage of females in its national parliament. Specifically, females make up about 15.7% of legislators in Japan, the smallest proportion among the G7.

It is even slow when it comes to women's reproductive health: only this week was it revealed that the “emergency” pill – a form of emergency contraception sold over the counter in over ninety countries – had finally been approved for over the counter use in Japan.

Differing Reactions to the Historic Appointment

Nonetheless, some see Takaichi's rise to power as a pivotal moment that could alter how females view their prospects.

“It is highly meaningful in Ms Takaichi assuming the role of prime minister, with a broader impact on the public,” a former mayor – who became the nation's most youthful woman mayor in 2012 – informed Japan's Kyodo news agency.

Koshi argued Japan electing a female prime minister will “lower psychological barriers” for women and girls, helping them feel it is normal to “excel” as authorities in companies and society, despite biased expectations and expectations still persist.

However a 20-year-old notes that, while it is remarkable 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 really challenging the norm. She's saying the same thing as the men.”

The young woman 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 agenda. We need to be capable of criticise her equally as all other leaders.”

Ideological Background and Associations

It is not only what Takaichi has said which has caused individuals to describe her as a supporter of the male-dominated system.

Additionally, it is evident by who her supporters within the LDP have were.

She was mentored of the late former hawkish prime minister a previous leader, and was endorsed in the party vote by a senior politician – a senior figure in the ruling party at the head of one of the ruling party's most powerful right-wing factions.

Their group's support for Sanae Takaichi was pivotal in consolidating the party's right wing in her favor.

“I do feel that it is difficult for women to sort of relate to her achievement because it furthers this idea that we have to be compliant with the status quo,” young adult a citizen says.

The 21-year-old concurs, stating that with her as a figurehead for females in government, “the public are going to expect the same from women as too”.

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

Upcoming Obstacles and Expectations

Making history, however, was just the first of the challenges Takaichi will encounter – not least addressing a slow growth and rising prices and regaining the trust of a discontented and angry electorate, as in addition to welcoming president Trump within a short time of taking power.

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