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For many young girls in Japan currently, the sight of Sanae Takaichi taking the helm as the country's inaugural female leader is powerful and influential.

This signifies a patriarchal society and a government structure that has long been dominated by men is currently headed by a woman.

However, although the appearances suggest a forward-thinking era, certain females don't see her as an champion of progress.

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

People are saying, ‘wow, she's the inaugural woman 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 rather simplistic view.”

Instead, Ms Ogura highlights her “political beliefs and what she stands for,” adding: “She reinforces the male-dominated structure.”

A big fan of Britain's first female prime minister, Sanae Takaichi has long aspired to be the “Iron Lady” of her nation.

And like Thatcher, Takaichi is a firm conservative.

Observers say her ascension is a tactical move from the governing LDP to appeal to the increasingly right-leaning supporters which had lately shifted towards Japan's parties further to the right.

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

Additionally, she is opposed to females being in line for succession in the royal household.

Nonetheless, she did soften some of her statements during her campaign – saying she supports giving financial benefits to companies that provide childcare facilities to their employees and mentioned possible deductions for households investing in childcare.

Yet she has historically backed the idea of a conventional role for women in society and in the family.

Regarding gender matters, Takaichi is consistent with her nation's subpar performance on equality concerns.

The Country's Gender Gap in Context

Women in Japan are some of the most highly educated and highest qualified in the world and yet they face challenges with the expectations of a conservative society that still directs them into conventional positions.

Based on the latest gender gap index by the World Economic Forum, Japan placed 118th among nearly 150 nations, with women's presence in the political arena notably low.

Top roles have traditionally been dominated by men and Japan has struggled to increase the quantity of women legislators and business leaders.

The globally fourth biggest economy ranks last among the Group of Seven nations when it comes to the share of females in its legislative body. In detail, women make up about 15.7% of legislators in Japan, the lowest figure among the G7.

It is even slow when it comes to female healthcare: recently was it announced that the “emergency” pill – a type of post-coital birth control sold over the counter in more than 90 countries – had finally been approved for over the counter use in Japan.

Mixed Responses to the Historic Appointment

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

“There is great significance in Ms Takaichi assuming the role of prime minister, with a wider influence on society,” a former mayor – who was elected as the nation's most youthful woman city leader in 2012 – told Japan's Kyodo news agency.

She contended Japan having a woman prime minister will “lower mental obstacles” for women and girls, enabling them to believe it is normal to “excel” as leaders in businesses and the community, even as gender-based stereotypes and norms still persist.

But Audrey Hill-Uekawa points out that, while it is notable Japan has its inaugural woman prime minister, one must remember it required her more than 30 years to get to that office.

“Additionally, she is not truly challenging the grain. She's saying the identical views as the male politicians.”

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

“We need to make sure we're discussing her agenda. We need to be able to criticise her equally as everyone else.”

Ideological Background and Associations

It is not just what Takaichi has said which has caused individuals to describe her as a defender of the patriarchy.

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

She's the protégé of the late ex- 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 ruling party's most powerful conservative blocs.

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

“I do feel that it is challenging for females to somewhat relate to her success because it promotes this notion that we have to be compliant with the status quo,” 21-year-old a citizen says.

Ms Ogura agrees, saying that with her as a symbol for women in politics, “people are going to expect the identical from us as too”.

“They will demand women to be conforming, not oppose the beliefs that they hold, and it might make our job harder.”

Upcoming Obstacles and Anticipations

Achieving this milestone, though, was just the first of the challenges Takaichi will face – not least addressing a slow growth and inflation and winning back the confidence of a discontented and irate voting public, as well as welcoming the US leader within days of assuming office.

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