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

It means a male-oriented culture and a government structure that has historically been controlled by men is currently headed by a woman.

But while the optics speak of a progressive moment, certain females don't see her as an champion of progress.

“It was quite interesting to see how individuals beyond Japan's borders have reacted to the announcement,” Ayda Ogura states.

“Everyone's like, ‘wow, she's the first female prime minister in Japanese history and that would be a significant chance for women empowerment and gender equality in Japan’.

In my opinion that's a rather simplistic interpretation.”

Instead, the young woman points to her “political beliefs and what she represents,” adding: “She reinforces the male-dominated structure.”

A strong admirer of Margaret Thatcher, Sanae Takaichi has always wanted to be the “Iron Lady” of her nation.

Similar to Thatcher, Takaichi is a firm conservative.

Observers say her ascension is a tactical move from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party to appeal to 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 permit spouses to have separate surnames, blocking many women from retaining their birth surnames.

Additionally, she is opposed to females being in line for succession in the imperial family.

However, she moderated certain her statements during her election bid – saying she favours giving tax incentives to companies that offer daycare services to their staff and spoke of potential tax breaks for households investing in childcare.

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

Regarding women's issues, Takaichi is consistent with her nation's less than impressive performance on equality concerns.

The Country's Inequality in Context

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

Based on the latest equality ranking by the global organization, Japan ranked 118th among 148 nations, with women's presence in the field of politics particularly minimal.

Top roles have traditionally been dominated by men and Japan has struggled to boost the number of female lawmakers and business leaders.

The globally fourth biggest economic power ranks last among the Group of Seven nations when it comes to the percentage of females in its national parliament. In detail, women constitute about 15.7% of legislators in Japan, the smallest proportion 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 emergency contraception available without prescription in over ninety nations – had finally been approved for non-prescription sales in Japan.

Differing Responses to the Historic Leadership

Nonetheless, some see Takaichi's rise to power as a critical juncture that could change how women perceive their opportunities.

“It is highly meaningful in the new prime minister becoming prime minister, with a broader impact on society,” Naomi Koshi – who was elected as the country's most youthful woman city leader in 2012 – told Japan's Kyodo news agency.

She contended Japan electing a female prime minister will “lower psychological barriers” for females of all ages, enabling them to believe it is acceptable to “stand out” as authorities in businesses and the community, even as gender-based stereotypes and expectations still remain.

However a 20-year-old points out that, while it is notable Japan has its first female prime minister, one must remember it required her over three decades to reach that position.

“She's also not truly challenging the grain. She's saying the identical views as the male politicians.”

The young woman further states that she shouldn't be put on a platform just due to the fact she is a woman.

“It is essential to ensure we're talking about her policies. We need to be capable of evaluate her fairly as all other leaders.”

Political Context and Associations

It is not only what Takaichi has said which has led people to label her as a supporter of the male-dominated system.

It's also evident by who her supporters inside the party have been.

She was mentored of the deceased ex- hawkish prime minister Shinzo Abe, and was backed in the leadership election by Taro Aso – a prominent member in the LDP at the leadership of one of the government's most influential conservative blocs.

His faction's backing for Sanae Takaichi was pivotal in uniting the party's right wing behind her.

“I do feel that it is challenging for females to sort of relate to her success because it promotes this idea that we must be obedient with the existing system,” young adult a citizen remarks.

The 21-year-old agrees, stating that with her as a figurehead for females in government, “people are going to expect the identical from women as well”.

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

Upcoming Challenges and Anticipations

Making history, however, was only the initial of the challenges Takaichi will encounter – not least tackling a slow growth and rising prices and winning back the confidence of a frustrated and irate voting public, as well as welcoming president Trump within days of taking power.

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