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

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

However, although the optics speak of a progressive moment, certain females don't see her as an advocate for change.

It was rather fascinating to see how individuals beyond Japan's borders have responded to the announcement,” a 21-year-old says.

People are saying, ‘wow, she's the inaugural woman prime minister in Japanese history and that would be a significant chance for female advancement and equal rights in Japan’.

“I think that's a very naive view.”

Instead, Ms Ogura points to her “political beliefs and what she stands for,” noting: “She perpetuates the male-dominated structure.”

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

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

Observers say her leadership is a strategic decision from the governing LDP to attract the increasingly right-leaning base which had recently gravitated towards Japan's more extreme conservative groups.

Takaichi opposes marriage equality and has long stood against laws that would allow married couples to have separate surnames, blocking many females from retaining their birth surnames.

She's also opposed to women being in eligible for the throne in the imperial family.

However, she moderated certain her messaging during her campaign – saying she supports giving tax incentives to companies that provide childcare facilities to their staff and spoke of potential deductions for households spending on childcare.

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

Regarding women's issues, Takaichi is aligned with her country's less than impressive record on equality concerns.

The Country's Gender Gap in Perspective

Japanese women are among the best educated and most skilled in the globe and yet they struggle with the demands of a conservative society that still pushes them into conventional positions.

According to the latest equality ranking by the World Economic Forum, Japan placed 118th out of among 148 countries, with female representation in the political arena particularly minimal.

Leadership positions have historically been held by men and Japan has faced difficulties to boost the number of female lawmakers and business leaders.

The world's fourth largest economy ranks last among the G7 countries when it comes to the share of women in its legislative body. In detail, females constitute about less than 16% of lawmakers in Japan, the smallest proportion among the seven major economies.

Progress is also sluggish when it comes to women's reproductive health: only this week was it revealed that the “morning after” pill – a form of post-coital birth control available without prescription in more than 90 nations – had at last been authorized for non-prescription sales in Japan.

Differing Reactions to the Historic Appointment

Even so, some see Takaichi's ascent as a pivotal moment that could change how women perceive their prospects.

“It is highly meaningful in the new prime minister assuming the role of prime minister, with a wider influence on the public,” Naomi Koshi – who became the nation's most youthful woman mayor in 2012 – told local media.

She contended Japan electing a woman prime minister will “lower psychological barriers” for women and girls, helping them feel it is acceptable to “excel” as leaders in businesses and society, even as biased expectations and expectations still persist.

But a 20-year-old notes that, while it is notable Japan has its inaugural woman leader, one must remember it required her over three decades to reach that position.

“She's also not truly going against the norm. She's saying the identical views as the male politicians.”

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

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

Political 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 who her champions within the LDP have been.

She's the protégé of the late ex- conservative prime minister Shinzo Abe, and was endorsed in the leadership election by Taro Aso – a senior figure in the LDP at the head of one of the government's most powerful conservative blocs.

His faction's backing for Sanae Takaichi was crucial in uniting the conservative wing in her favor.

“I do feel that it is challenging for females to somewhat relate to her success because it promotes this idea that we have to be obedient with the existing system,” young adult Minori Konishi says.

Ms Ogura agrees, stating that with her as a symbol for women in government, “people are likely to anticipate the same from us as well”.

“They will demand us to be compliant, not oppose the ideals that they hold, and it might make our role harder.”

Future Obstacles and Anticipations

Making history, though, was only the initial of the challenges Takaichi will face – not least tackling a slow growth and rising prices and regaining the trust of a discontented and angry electorate, as in addition to welcoming the US leader within days of assuming office.

One can reasonably assume that no-one expects gender equality issues to be high on her priority list.