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To numerous young girls in Japan currently, the image of Sanae Takaichi taking the helm as the country's first ever female prime minister is powerful and formative.

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

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

“It was quite interesting to see how individuals beyond Japan's borders 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 great opportunity for female advancement and equal rights in Japan’.

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

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

A strong admirer of Britain's first female prime minister, Sanae Takaichi has always wanted to be the “Steel Magnolia” of her nation.

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

Observers say her ascension is a tactical move from the governing Liberal Democratic Party to appeal to the increasingly right-leaning base which had recently gravitated towards Japan's parties further to the right.

Takaichi opposes same-sex marriage and has consistently voted against laws that would permit married couples to have different last names, preventing many females from retaining their birth surnames.

Additionally, she is against women being in line for succession in the royal household.

Nonetheless, she did soften some of her messaging during her election bid – saying she supports giving financial benefits to companies that provide childcare facilities to their staff and spoke of potential tax breaks for households spending on child-rearing.

Yet she has over the years supported the notion of a conventional role for women in society and in the home.

When it comes to gender matters, Takaichi is aligned with her country's subpar record on equality concerns.

The Country's Inequality in Perspective

Women in Japan are among the most highly educated and highest qualified in the globe and yet they struggle 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 among 148 nations, with female representation in the political arena particularly minimal.

Top roles have traditionally been dominated by men and Japan has struggled to increase the number of women legislators and business leaders.

The world's fourth largest economy places at the bottom among the G7 countries when it comes to the percentage of women in its national parliament. Specifically, females make up about less than 16% of legislators in Japan, the smallest proportion among the seven major economies.

It is even slow when it comes to women's reproductive health: recently was it announced that the “morning after” pill – a form of post-coital birth control available without prescription in over ninety nations – had finally been approved for non-prescription sales in Japan.

Mixed Reactions to the Historic Appointment

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

“It is highly meaningful in Ms Takaichi becoming prime minister, with a broader impact on society,” a former mayor – who was elected as the country's youngest female city leader in 2012 – informed local media.

Koshi argued Japan having a woman prime minister will “reduce psychological barriers” for women and girls, helping them feel it is acceptable to “excel” as authorities in businesses and society, despite biased expectations and expectations still persist.

But Audrey Hill-Uekawa notes that, while it is notable Japan has its inaugural woman prime minister, one must remember it required her over three decades to get to that office.

“She's also not truly going against the norm. She's saying the identical views as the male politicians.”

Ms Hill-Uekawa further states that she shouldn't be put on a platform simply because she is a female.

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

Political Context and Influences

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

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

She was mentored of the late former conservative prime minister a previous leader, and was endorsed in the party vote by Taro Aso – a senior figure in the ruling party at the head of one of the ruling party's most influential right-wing factions.

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

“I do feel that it is difficult for females to somewhat relate to her success because it promotes this notion that we have to be compliant with the existing system,” young adult Minori Konishi says.

The 21-year-old concurs, stating that with her as a symbol for women in government, “people are likely to anticipate the same from women as too”.

“They're going to expect women to be conforming, not oppose the ideals that they have, and it could render our role harder.”

Future Challenges and Anticipations

Achieving this milestone, however, was just the first of the difficulties Takaichi will encounter – not least tackling a sluggish economy and rising prices and winning back the trust of a discontented and irate voting public, as well as welcoming the US leader within a short time of taking power.

One can reasonably assume that few anticipate gender equality issues to be a top priority on her priority list.