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To numerous young girls in Japan currently, the sight of Sanae Takaichi assuming leadership as the country's inaugural female leader is powerful and influential.

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

But while the appearances speak of a forward-thinking era, certain females don't see her as an champion of progress.

It was rather fascinating to observe how people outside Japan have responded to the news,” a 21-year-old says.

“Everyone's like, ‘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 interpretation.”

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

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

And like Thatcher, Takaichi is a staunch right-wing politician.

Analysts note her leadership is a strategic decision from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party to attract the increasingly right-leaning base which had lately shifted towards Japan's more extreme conservative groups.

Takaichi opposes marriage equality and has consistently voted against laws that would allow married couples to have separate surnames, blocking many women from retaining their maiden names.

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

Nonetheless, she moderated some of her messaging during her campaign – saying she supports giving financial benefits to businesses that provide daycare services to their staff and spoke of possible deductions for families investing in child-rearing.

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

When it comes to gender matters, Takaichi is consistent with her nation's subpar performance on equality concerns.

The Country's Gender Gap in Perspective

Women in Japan are some of the best educated and highest qualified in the world and yet they struggle with the demands of a traditional culture that still directs them into traditional roles.

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

Leadership positions have traditionally been dominated by males and Japan has struggled to increase the quantity of female lawmakers and corporate executives.

The world's fourth largest economic power ranks at the bottom among the Group of Seven nations when it comes to the share of females in its national parliament. In detail, women make up about less than 16% of legislators in Japan, the smallest proportion among the seven major economies.

Progress is also sluggish when it comes to female healthcare: recently was it revealed that the “morning after” pill – a form of emergency contraception available without prescription in over ninety nations – had finally been approved for over the counter use in Japan.

Differing Responses to the Landmark Appointment

Even so, certain individuals view Takaichi's rise to power as a critical juncture that could alter how females perceive their opportunities.

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

She contended Japan having a woman prime minister will “reduce mental obstacles” for women and girls, helping them feel it is normal to “stand out” as leaders in companies and the community, despite gender-based stereotypes and norms still persist.

But a 20-year-old notes that, while it is remarkable Japan has its first female prime minister, one must remember it took her more than 30 years to get to that position.

“She's also not truly going against the norm. She expresses the identical views as the men.”

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 talking about her agenda. We must be able to evaluate her fairly as all other leaders.”

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 who her supporters inside the party have were.

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

Their group's support for Sanae Takaichi was pivotal in consolidating the conservative wing behind her.

“I believe that it is challenging for females to sort of relate to her success because it furthers this idea that we must be compliant with the status quo,” 21-year-old Minori Konishi remarks.

Ms Ogura concurs, saying that with her as a figurehead for females in politics, “people are likely to anticipate the same from us as too”.

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

Future Obstacles and Anticipations

Achieving this milestone, however, was just the first of the difficulties Takaichi will face – not least tackling a slow growth and inflation and regaining the confidence of a discontented and angry electorate, as in addition to welcoming the US leader within days of taking power.

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