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For many young girls in Japan currently, the image of Sanae Takaichi taking the helm as the country's first ever female leader is powerful and influential.

It means a patriarchal society and a government structure that has historically been controlled by men is currently headed by a woman.

However, although the appearances suggest a forward-thinking era, certain females do not view her as an advocate for change.

“It was quite fascinating to see how individuals outside Japan have reacted to the news,” Ayda Ogura states.

People are saying, ‘wow, she's the first female prime minister in the nation's past and that would be a great opportunity for women empowerment and equal rights in Japan’.

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

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

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

Similar to Thatcher, Takaichi is a staunch right-wing politician.

Analysts note her ascension is a tactical move from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party to attract the more conservative supporters which had recently gravitated towards Japan's more extreme conservative groups.

The leader is against marriage equality and has long stood against laws that would allow married couples to have different last names, preventing many females from retaining their maiden names.

Additionally, she is opposed to women being in eligible for the throne in the royal household.

However, she did soften some of her messaging during her campaign – stating she favours giving financial benefits to companies that offer daycare services to their staff and spoke of potential deductions for households investing in childcare.

Yet she has over the years supported the notion of a conventional position for females in the community and in the home.

Regarding gender matters, Takaichi is consistent with her country's subpar performance on equality concerns.

The Country's Inequality in Context

Women in Japan are among the best educated and highest qualified in the globe 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 among 148 countries, with female representation in the field of politics particularly minimal.

Leadership positions have traditionally been dominated by men and Japan has struggled to increase the number of women legislators and corporate executives.

The globally fourth biggest economy places at the bottom among the Group of Seven nations when it comes to the percentage of females in its legislative body. Specifically, women make up about 15.7% of legislators in Japan, the lowest figure among the G7.

It is even slow when it comes to female healthcare: recently was it announced that the “morning after” pill – a form of emergency contraception sold over the counter in over ninety countries – had finally been approved for over the counter use in Japan.

Mixed Responses to the Landmark Leadership

Nonetheless, some see Takaichi's ascent as a pivotal moment that could change how females view their prospects.

“There is great significance in Ms Takaichi becoming prime minister, with a broader impact on the public,” Naomi Koshi – who was elected as the country's most youthful woman mayor in 2012 – informed 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 normal to “excel” as authorities in companies and the community, even as gender-based stereotypes and expectations still persist.

However Audrey Hill-Uekawa notes that, while it is notable Japan has its first female leader, it is important to recall it took her more than 30 years to get to that position.

“She's also not really challenging the norm. She expresses the same thing as the men.”

The young woman further states that she ought not be placed on a pedestal just due to the fact she is a female.

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

Political Background and Influences

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

It's also evident by which individuals her champions inside the party have were.

She was mentored of the deceased former conservative prime minister a previous leader, and was backed in the leadership election by a senior politician – a prominent member in the LDP at the leadership of one of the ruling party's most influential conservative blocs.

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

“I believe that it is difficult for females to somewhat relate to her success because it furthers this idea that we must be obedient with the existing system,” young adult Minori Konishi says.

Ms Ogura concurs, stating that with her as a figurehead for females in government, “people are going to expect the same from women as too”.

“They will demand us to be compliant, not oppose the ideals that they have, and it could render our role more difficult.”

Future Challenges and Anticipations

Achieving this milestone, however, was only the initial of the challenges Takaichi will encounter – not least addressing a slow growth and inflation and regaining the trust of a frustrated and irate electorate, as well as hosting the US leader within a short time of taking power.

One can reasonably assume that no-one expects gender equality issues to be a top priority on her agenda.