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To numerous young girls in Japan today, the image of Sanae Takaichi assuming leadership as the nation's inaugural woman prime minister is powerful and influential.

It means a male-oriented culture and a political system that has historically been controlled by men is now led by a female.

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

“It was quite fascinating to see how individuals beyond Japan's borders have reacted to the news,” a 21-year-old says.

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

“I think that's a very naive view.”

Conversely, Ms Ogura points to her “political beliefs and what she represents,” adding: “She reinforces the patriarchal system.”

A strong admirer of Margaret Thatcher, Sanae Takaichi has always wanted to be the “Steel Magnolia” of her nation.

Similar to Thatcher, Takaichi is a firm conservative.

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

The leader is against same-sex marriage and has consistently voted against laws that would permit spouses to have different last names, preventing many women from keeping their maiden names.

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

Nonetheless, she moderated some of her statements during her campaign – stating she favours giving tax incentives to businesses that offer daycare services to their staff and mentioned possible deductions for households investing in childcare.

Yet she has historically backed the notion of a conventional role for females in the community and in the home.

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

Japan's Inequality in Perspective

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

According to the latest equality ranking by the global organization, Japan placed 118th out of among 148 countries, with women's presence in the political arena particularly minimal.

Top roles have traditionally been dominated by males and Japan has struggled to boost the quantity of women legislators and corporate executives.

The world's fourth largest economy places at the bottom among the G7 countries when it comes to the share of women in its national parliament. Specifically, females make up about less than 16% 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 revealed that the “emergency” pill – a form of post-coital birth control sold over the counter in over ninety nations – had at last been authorized for over the counter use in Japan.

Mixed Responses to the Landmark Appointment

Nonetheless, certain individuals view Takaichi's rise to power as a pivotal moment that could change how females perceive their prospects.

“There is great significance in the new prime minister becoming prime minister, with a wider influence on society,” Naomi Koshi – who became the nation's youngest female mayor in 2012 – informed local media.

Koshi argued Japan electing a female prime minister will “lower mental obstacles” for females of all ages, enabling them to believe it is normal to “excel” as leaders in businesses and the community, even as biased expectations and expectations still remain.

However a 20-year-old points out that, while it is remarkable Japan has its inaugural woman leader, one must remember it required her more than 30 years to reach that position.

“Additionally, she is not really challenging the norm. She expresses the identical views as the men.”

Ms Hill-Uekawa further states that she ought not be placed on a pedestal just due to the fact she is a woman.

“We need to make sure we're talking about her policies. We need to be able to evaluate her equally as everyone else.”

Political Background and Influences

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

It's also apparent by who her champions within the LDP have been.

She was mentored of the late ex- hawkish prime minister Shinzo Abe, and was backed in the party vote by a senior politician – a prominent member in the LDP at the head of one of the ruling party's most influential right-wing factions.

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

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

The 21-year-old agrees, saying that with her as a figurehead for females in politics, “the public are likely to anticipate the identical from us as too”.

“They're going to expect us to be compliant, not oppose the ideals that they have, and it might make our job harder.”

Future Obstacles and Expectations

Making history, though, was just the first of the difficulties Takaichi will encounter – including addressing a slow growth and inflation and winning back the trust of a frustrated and angry voting public, as in addition to welcoming the US leader within a short time of taking power.

It's safe to say that no-one expects gender equality issues to be high on her agenda.