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To numerous young girls in Japan today, the image of Sanae Takaichi assuming leadership as the nation's first ever female leader is powerful and influential.

It means a male-oriented culture and a political system that has long been dominated by men is now led by a woman.

However, although the optics speak of a progressive moment, some women don't see her as an advocate for change.

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

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

“I think that's a rather simplistic interpretation.”

Instead, Ms Ogura points to her “ideological stance and what she represents,” noting: “She perpetuates the male-dominated structure.”

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

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

Analysts note her ascension is a tactical move from the ruling LDP to appeal to the more conservative base which had lately shifted towards Japan's parties further to the right.

The leader is against marriage equality and has consistently voted against legislation that would permit married couples to have separate surnames, preventing many women from keeping their birth surnames.

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

However, she moderated certain her messaging during her election bid – stating she supports giving financial benefits to companies that provide daycare services to their employees and spoke of potential deductions for families investing in child-rearing.

Yet she has historically backed the notion of a more traditional role for women in society and in the family.

When it comes to women's issues, Takaichi is consistent with her country's subpar record on gender issues.

Japan's Inequality in Perspective

Japanese women are among the most highly 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 gender gap index by the World Economic Forum, Japan ranked 118th among nearly 150 nations, with women's presence in the political arena particularly minimal.

Leadership positions have historically been held by males and Japan has struggled to boost the number of women legislators and corporate executives.

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

Progress is also sluggish when it comes to female healthcare: recently was it announced that the “emergency” pill – a type of post-coital birth control available without prescription in over ninety countries – had at last been authorized for non-prescription sales in Japan.

Differing Responses to the Landmark Leadership

Nonetheless, certain individuals view Takaichi's rise to power as a pivotal moment that could alter how females perceive their prospects.

“There is great significance in the new prime minister assuming the role of prime minister, with a wider influence on the public,” a former mayor – who was elected as the country's youngest female mayor in 2012 – told local media.

Koshi argued Japan having a female prime minister will “lower psychological barriers” for females of all ages, helping them feel it is normal to “excel” as leaders in companies and the community, despite biased expectations and norms still remain.

However a 20-year-old points out that, while it is notable Japan has its first female leader, it is important to recall it took her more than 30 years to reach that position.

“Additionally, she is not truly challenging the norm. She expresses the identical views as the men.”

The young woman adds that she ought not be placed on a platform simply because she is a female.

“We need to ensure we're discussing her policies. We must be able to criticise her fairly as all other leaders.”

Political Context and Influences

It is not only what Takaichi has stated which has caused individuals to describe her as a supporter of the male-dominated system.

Additionally, it is evident by who her champions inside the party have were.

She's the protégé of the late ex- hawkish prime minister Shinzo Abe, and was endorsed in the party vote by Taro Aso – a prominent member in the LDP at the head of one of the ruling party's most powerful conservative blocs.

Their group's support for Sanae Takaichi was crucial in consolidating the conservative wing in her favor.

“I believe that it is challenging for women to sort of identify with her success because it promotes this idea that we must be compliant with the status quo,” 21-year-old Minori Konishi remarks.

Ms Ogura agrees, saying that with her as a symbol for females in politics, “the public are likely to anticipate the identical from us as well”.

“They will demand women to be compliant, not go against the beliefs that they have, and it might make our role more difficult.”

Future Challenges and Anticipations

Making history, however, was just the first of the challenges Takaichi will face – not least addressing a slow growth and rising prices and regaining the confidence of a frustrated and irate electorate, as in addition to hosting president Trump within days of taking power.

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