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To numerous young girls in Japan currently, the image of Sanae Takaichi assuming leadership as the country's first ever woman leader is impactful and influential.

It means a patriarchal society and a political system that has long been dominated by men is currently headed by a woman.

But while the optics suggest a forward-thinking era, 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 says.

“Everyone's like, ‘wow, she's the first female prime minister in Japanese history and that would be a great opportunity for women empowerment and equal rights in Japan’.

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

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

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

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

Analysts note her leadership is a tactical move from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party to appeal to the more conservative supporters which had recently gravitated towards Japan's parties further to the right.

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

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

However, she did soften certain her messaging during her campaign – saying she supports giving financial benefits to companies that provide daycare services to their staff and mentioned potential deductions for households investing in child-rearing.

Yet she has over the years backed the idea of a conventional role for women in the community and in the home.

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

Japan's Inequality in Context

Japanese women are among the most highly educated and highest qualified in the world and yet they face challenges with the demands of a conservative society that still pushes them into conventional positions.

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

Top roles have traditionally been dominated by males and Japan has faced difficulties to boost the quantity of women legislators and business leaders.

The world's fourth largest economy places at the bottom among the Group of Seven nations when it comes to the percentage of females in its legislative body. In detail, females constitute about less than 16% of legislators in Japan, the smallest proportion 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 emergency contraception available without prescription in over ninety nations – had finally been approved for non-prescription sales in Japan.

Mixed Reactions to the Historic Appointment

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

“There is great significance in Ms Takaichi becoming prime minister, with a wider influence 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 woman prime minister will “lower psychological barriers” 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 norms still persist.

However Audrey Hill-Uekawa points out that, while it is notable Japan has its first female prime minister, it is important to recall it required her over three decades to reach that position.

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

Ms Hill-Uekawa further states that she ought not be placed on a pedestal simply because she is a woman.

“It is essential to ensure we're discussing her policies. We need to be able to criticise her equally as all other leaders.”

Ideological Background and Associations

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

Additionally, it is apparent by which individuals her supporters inside the party have been.

She was mentored of the late ex- hawkish prime minister Shinzo Abe, and was backed in the party vote 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 uniting the conservative wing in her favor.

“I do feel that it is difficult for females to sort of relate to her achievement because it promotes this notion that we must be obedient with the status quo,” 21-year-old Minori Konishi remarks.

The 21-year-old agrees, stating that with her as a figurehead for females in politics, “people are going to expect the same from us as too”.

“They will demand women to be compliant, not go against the beliefs that they hold, and it might make our role harder.”

Upcoming Challenges and Anticipations

Making history, though, was just the first of the difficulties Takaichi will encounter – not least tackling a sluggish economy and rising prices and winning back the confidence of a frustrated and angry electorate, as well as welcoming the US leader within a short time of assuming office.

It's safe to say that no-one expects women's rights matters to be a top priority on her agenda.