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

This signifies a patriarchal society and a political system that has historically been controlled by men is currently headed by a female.

However, although the optics suggest a progressive moment, some women don't see her as an champion of progress.

It was rather fascinating to observe how individuals outside Japan have responded to the announcement,” Ayda Ogura 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 women empowerment and gender equality in Japan’.

“I think that's a very naive interpretation.”

Conversely, Ms Ogura points to her “ideological stance and what she represents,” adding: “She perpetuates the patriarchal system.”

A strong admirer of Margaret Thatcher, Sanae Takaichi has long aspired to be the “Steel Magnolia” of her country.

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

Observers say her leadership is a tactical move from the governing Liberal Democratic Party to attract the increasingly right-leaning supporters which had recently gravitated towards Japan's parties further to the right.

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

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

Nonetheless, she did soften certain her messaging during her election bid – saying she favours giving financial benefits to businesses that provide childcare facilities to their staff and mentioned possible tax breaks for households spending on childcare.

Yet she has historically supported the notion of a conventional position for women in society and in the family.

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

Japan's Inequality in Context

Japanese women are among the best educated and most skilled in the globe and yet they face challenges with the expectations of a conservative society that still directs them into conventional positions.

Based on the latest equality ranking by the global organization, Japan placed 118th among nearly 150 nations, with female representation in the political arena notably low.

Leadership positions have traditionally been dominated by men and Japan has struggled to increase the number of women legislators and corporate executives.

The globally fourth biggest economy places last among the Group of Seven nations when it comes to the share of females in its national parliament. In detail, females make up about 15.7% of legislators in Japan, the lowest figure among the seven major economies.

Progress is also sluggish when it comes to women's reproductive health: recently was it announced 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.

Differing Responses to the Historic Appointment

Even so, certain individuals view Takaichi's ascent as a pivotal moment that could change how females perceive their prospects.

“It is highly meaningful in Ms Takaichi assuming the role of prime minister, with a broader impact on society,” Naomi Koshi – who was elected as the country's most youthful woman mayor in 2012 – informed local media.

Koshi argued Japan electing a female prime minister will “reduce psychological barriers” for females of all ages, enabling them to believe it is acceptable to “excel” as leaders in businesses and society, despite gender-based stereotypes and expectations still remain.

However Audrey Hill-Uekawa notes that, while it is remarkable Japan has its first female leader, one must remember it took her over three decades to get to that position.

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

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 evaluate her fairly as everyone else.”

Political Background and Associations

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

It's also apparent by which individuals her supporters inside the party have been.

She's the protégé of the late former hawkish prime minister a previous leader, and was endorsed in the leadership election by Taro Aso – a prominent member in the LDP at the leadership of one of the government's most powerful conservative blocs.

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

“I believe that it is difficult for women to sort of relate to her achievement because it furthers this idea that we must be compliant with the existing system,” 21-year-old a citizen remarks.

Ms Ogura concurs, saying that with her as a symbol for females in politics, “people are going to expect the same from us as well”.

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

Upcoming Challenges and Anticipations

Making history, though, was only the initial of the difficulties Takaichi will face – not least tackling a sluggish economy and rising prices and regaining the confidence of a discontented and angry voting public, as well as welcoming president Trump within a short time of taking power.

One can reasonably assume that few anticipate women's rights matters to be a top priority on her agenda.