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For many young girls in Japan today, the sight of Sanae Takaichi assuming leadership as the nation's first ever female leader is impactful and influential.

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

But while the appearances suggest a progressive moment, some women don't see her as an champion of progress.

It was rather interesting to see how individuals outside Japan have reacted to the announcement,” Ayda Ogura states.

“Everyone's like, ‘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’.

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

Instead, the young woman highlights her “ideological stance and what she stands for,” noting: “She reinforces the male-dominated structure.”

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

And like Thatcher, Takaichi is a staunch conservative.

Observers say her ascension is a tactical move from the governing LDP to attract the increasingly right-leaning base which had lately shifted towards Japan's more extreme conservative groups.

Takaichi opposes marriage equality and has long stood against legislation that would permit married couples to have separate surnames, preventing many women from keeping their birth surnames.

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

However, she moderated some of her statements during her election bid – stating she supports giving tax incentives to companies that offer childcare facilities to their employees and mentioned potential deductions for households spending on childcare.

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

Regarding women's issues, Takaichi is consistent with her country's subpar record on gender issues.

Japan's Gender Gap in Perspective

Women in Japan are some of the best educated and highest qualified in the world and yet they face challenges with the expectations of a conservative society that still pushes them into traditional roles.

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

Leadership positions have traditionally been dominated by males and Japan has faced difficulties to boost the number of female lawmakers and business leaders.

The world's fourth largest economic power places last among the G7 countries when it comes to the percentage of females in its legislative body. In detail, women make up about less than 16% of lawmakers in Japan, the smallest proportion among the seven major economies.

It is even slow when it comes to female healthcare: recently was it announced that the “emergency” pill – a form of post-coital birth control sold over the counter in more than 90 nations – had at last been authorized for over the counter use in Japan.

Differing Reactions to the Landmark Leadership

Even so, certain individuals view Takaichi's rise to power as a critical juncture that could change how females view 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 nation's youngest female city leader in 2012 – informed local media.

Koshi argued Japan electing a woman prime minister will “reduce psychological barriers” for women and girls, helping them feel it is acceptable to “stand out” as leaders in companies and the community, despite gender-based stereotypes and norms still remain.

But a 20-year-old points out that, while it is remarkable Japan has its inaugural woman prime minister, it is important to recall it required her over three decades to reach that office.

“She's also not really challenging the grain. She's saying the same thing as the men.”

Ms Hill-Uekawa adds that she shouldn't be put on a pedestal just due to the fact she is a female.

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

Ideological Context and Associations

It is not just what Takaichi has said which has led people to label her as a supporter of the patriarchy.

It's also evident by which individuals her supporters within the LDP have been.

She's the protégé of the deceased ex- hawkish prime minister Shinzo Abe, and was backed in the leadership election by a senior politician – a prominent member in the ruling party at the head of one of the government's most influential conservative blocs.

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

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

Ms Ogura concurs, saying that with her as a symbol for women in government, “people are going to expect the identical from us as too”.

“They will demand us to be conforming, not go against the beliefs that they hold, and it could render our role harder.”

Upcoming Challenges and Expectations

Making history, though, was only the initial of the difficulties Takaichi will face – not least tackling a slow growth and rising prices and winning back the confidence of a discontented and irate electorate, as in addition to hosting president Trump within a short time of taking power.

It's safe to say that few anticipate gender equality issues to be a top priority on her agenda.