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For many young girls in Japan currently, the image of Sanae Takaichi taking the helm as the country's inaugural female prime minister is impactful and influential.

This signifies a male-oriented culture and a political system that has long been dominated by men is now led by a female.

But while the optics speak of a forward-thinking era, some women do not view her as an advocate for change.

It was rather fascinating to see how individuals beyond Japan's borders have reacted to the news,” a 21-year-old states.

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

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

Conversely, the young woman points to her “political beliefs and what she represents,” noting: “She reinforces the patriarchal system.”

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

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

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

The leader is against same-sex marriage and has long stood against laws that would allow spouses to have separate surnames, blocking many women from retaining their birth surnames.

She's also opposed to females being in line for succession in the royal household.

However, she moderated certain her statements during her campaign – stating she favours giving financial benefits to businesses that provide daycare services to their staff and mentioned potential tax breaks for households spending on child-rearing.

Yet she has historically supported the idea of a more traditional role for females in the community and in the family.

When it comes to women's issues, Takaichi is aligned with her country's less than impressive record on gender issues.

Japan's Inequality in Perspective

Women in Japan are some of the most highly educated and most skilled in the globe and yet they face challenges with the expectations of a traditional culture that still pushes them into conventional positions.

Based on the latest equality ranking by the World Economic Forum, Japan placed 118th out of among 148 countries, with women's presence in the field of politics particularly minimal.

Leadership positions have historically been held by men and Japan has faced difficulties to increase the quantity of female lawmakers and corporate executives.

The world's fourth largest economy ranks at the bottom among the G7 countries when it comes to the share of females in its legislative body. Specifically, females constitute about 15.7% of legislators in Japan, the lowest figure among the G7.

It is even slow when it comes to women's reproductive health: only this week was it revealed that the “emergency” pill – a form of post-coital birth control available without prescription in more than 90 countries – had finally been approved for over the counter use in Japan.

Mixed Responses to the Historic Appointment

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

“There is great significance in the new prime minister assuming the role of prime minister, with a broader impact on society,” a former mayor – who was elected as the nation's most youthful woman mayor in 2012 – informed local media.

Koshi argued Japan electing a female prime minister will “lower mental obstacles” for females of all ages, enabling them to believe it is acceptable to “stand out” as authorities in companies and the community, despite biased expectations and expectations still persist.

But a 20-year-old points out that, while it is remarkable Japan has its inaugural woman prime minister, one must remember it took her more than 30 years to reach that position.

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

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

“We need to make sure we're talking about her agenda. We need to be capable of criticise her fairly as all other leaders.”

Political Background and Influences

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

Additionally, it is evident by which individuals her supporters inside the party have were.

She's the protégé of the late former conservative prime minister a previous leader, and was backed in the leadership election by a senior politician – a senior figure in the ruling party at the head of one of the ruling party's most influential conservative blocs.

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

“I do feel that it is challenging for females to somewhat identify with her achievement because it promotes this idea that we must be compliant with the status quo,” young adult Minori Konishi remarks.

The 21-year-old concurs, saying that with her as a figurehead for females in government, “people are going to expect the same from women as too”.

“They will demand women to be conforming, not oppose the beliefs that they hold, and it might make our role more difficult.”

Upcoming Challenges and Anticipations

Making history, however, was only the initial of the challenges Takaichi will encounter – not least tackling a sluggish economy and rising prices and regaining the confidence of a discontented and irate voting public, as well as hosting the US leader within days of taking power.

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