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For many young girls in Japan today, the sight of Sanae Takaichi assuming leadership as the country's inaugural female leader is powerful and influential.

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

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

It was rather fascinating to see how people beyond Japan's borders have reacted to the announcement,” Ayda Ogura states.

People are saying, ‘wow, she's the inaugural woman prime minister in the nation's past and that would be a great opportunity for women empowerment and gender equality in Japan’.

“I think that's a very naive interpretation.”

Conversely, the young woman points to her “ideological stance and what she represents,” noting: “She reinforces 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.

Analysts note her ascension is a strategic decision from the governing Liberal Democratic Party to appeal to the increasingly right-leaning supporters which had recently gravitated towards Japan's more extreme conservative groups.

The leader is against same-sex marriage and has consistently voted against laws that would permit married couples to have different last names, preventing many women from retaining their maiden names.

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

Nonetheless, she moderated some of her messaging during her campaign – stating she favours giving tax incentives to companies that provide childcare facilities to their employees and spoke of possible tax breaks for households spending on childcare.

But she has historically supported the idea of a more traditional position for women in the community and in the family.

Regarding gender matters, Takaichi is aligned with her nation's less than impressive record on equality concerns.

The Country's Inequality in Context

Women in Japan are some of the best educated and highest qualified in the world and yet they struggle with the demands of a conservative society that still directs them into conventional positions.

According to the latest equality ranking by the global organization, Japan ranked 118th out of among nearly 150 nations, with female representation in the field of politics particularly minimal.

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

The globally fourth biggest economy places last among the Group of Seven nations when it comes to the percentage of women in its national parliament. Specifically, women make up about less than 16% of legislators in Japan, the lowest figure among the seven major economies.

Progress is also sluggish when it comes to women's reproductive health: recently was it revealed that the “morning after” pill – a form of emergency contraception available without prescription in over ninety countries – had finally been approved for over the counter use in Japan.

Differing Reactions to the Historic Appointment

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

“It is highly meaningful in the new prime minister becoming prime minister, with a broader impact on society,” a former mayor – who became the nation's youngest female mayor in 2012 – informed Japan's Kyodo news agency.

Koshi argued Japan having a female prime minister will “reduce psychological barriers” for women and girls, helping them feel it is acceptable to “stand out” as leaders in businesses and the community, even as biased expectations and expectations still remain.

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

“Additionally, she is not really challenging the grain. She expresses the same thing as the male politicians.”

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

“It is essential to ensure we're discussing her agenda. We need to be able to evaluate her fairly as all other leaders.”

Ideological Context and Associations

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

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

She was mentored of the late former hawkish prime minister a previous leader, and was backed 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.

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

“I believe that it is difficult for women to sort of relate to her success because it furthers this notion that we must be obedient with the status quo,” young adult a citizen remarks.

The 21-year-old concurs, saying that with her as a figurehead for females in politics, “the public are likely to anticipate the identical from women as too”.

“They will demand us to be conforming, not oppose the beliefs that they hold, and it could render our role more difficult.”

Future Challenges and Anticipations

Making history, however, was just the first of the difficulties Takaichi will encounter – including tackling a slow growth and inflation and winning back the confidence of a discontented and irate voting public, as in addition to hosting the US leader within days of taking power.

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