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To numerous young girls in Japan today, the image of Sanae Takaichi assuming leadership as the country's first ever 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 currently headed by a female.

However, although the optics suggest a progressive moment, certain females don't see her as an advocate for change.

It was rather fascinating to observe how people outside Japan have responded to the announcement,” a 21-year-old states.

People are saying, ‘wow, she's the first female prime minister in Japanese history and that would be a great opportunity for female advancement and gender equality in Japan’.

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

Instead, Ms Ogura highlights her “political beliefs and what she represents,” noting: “She reinforces the patriarchal system.”

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

Similar to Thatcher, Takaichi is a firm conservative.

Observers say her ascension is a tactical move from the governing LDP to attract 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 females from retaining their maiden names.

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

However, she moderated some of her statements during her election bid – saying she supports giving financial benefits to businesses that provide daycare services to their staff and mentioned potential deductions for households spending on child-rearing.

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

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

Japan's Gender Gap 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 traditional culture that still pushes them into conventional positions.

According to the latest equality ranking by the World Economic Forum, Japan ranked 118th out of among nearly 150 countries, with women's presence in the political arena particularly minimal.

Leadership positions have historically been held by men and Japan has struggled to increase the quantity of female lawmakers and business leaders.

The world's fourth largest economic power places last among the Group of Seven nations when it comes to the share of women in its legislative body. Specifically, women constitute about less than 16% of lawmakers in Japan, the smallest proportion among the G7.

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

Differing Reactions to the Historic Leadership

Even so, some see Takaichi's ascent as a critical juncture that could change how females perceive their opportunities.

“There is great significance in Ms Takaichi becoming prime minister, with a broader impact on the public,” a former mayor – who became the nation's most youthful woman city leader in 2012 – told Japan's Kyodo news agency.

She contended Japan having a female prime minister will “lower mental obstacles” for females of all ages, enabling them to believe it is acceptable to “excel” as leaders in companies and society, despite biased expectations and expectations still remain.

However a 20-year-old notes that, while it is notable Japan has its inaugural woman leader, it is important to recall it required her more than 30 years to get to that office.

“She's also not truly going against the norm. She expresses the same thing as the men.”

Ms Hill-Uekawa further states that she ought not be placed on a platform just due to the fact she is a female.

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

Political Context and Associations

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

Additionally, it is evident by who her supporters within the LDP have been.

She's the protégé of the late ex- hawkish prime minister Shinzo Abe, and was endorsed in the party vote by a senior politician – 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 crucial in consolidating the conservative wing behind her.

“I believe that it is difficult for women to sort of identify with her success because it furthers this idea that we have to be obedient with the status quo,” young adult Minori Konishi says.

Ms Ogura agrees, stating that with her as a symbol for females in government, “people are going to expect the same from us as well”.

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

Upcoming Challenges and Anticipations

Making history, though, was only the initial of the difficulties Takaichi will encounter – including tackling a slow growth and inflation and winning back the trust of a frustrated and angry electorate, as in addition to welcoming president Trump within days of taking power.

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