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To numerous young girls in Japan today, the sight of Sanae Takaichi taking the helm as the country's first ever woman prime minister is impactful and formative.

This signifies a male-oriented culture and a government structure that has long been dominated by men is now led by a female.

However, although the appearances suggest a progressive moment, certain females do not view her as an champion of progress.

It was rather interesting to observe how people beyond Japan's borders have reacted to the announcement,” a 21-year-old says.

“Everyone's like, ‘wow, she's the first female prime minister in the nation's past and that would be a significant chance for female advancement and equal rights in Japan’.

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

Conversely, Ms Ogura points to her “ideological stance and what she stands for,” noting: “She perpetuates the patriarchal system.”

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

And like Thatcher, Takaichi is a staunch conservative.

Analysts note her leadership is a tactical move from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party to appeal to the more conservative base which had recently gravitated towards Japan's parties further to the right.

Takaichi opposes marriage equality and has long stood against laws that would allow spouses to have different last names, 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 messaging during her campaign – saying she supports giving tax incentives to businesses that offer daycare services to their staff and spoke of potential deductions for families spending on child-rearing.

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

Regarding women's issues, Takaichi is consistent with her country's less than impressive performance on equality concerns.

Japan's Inequality in Perspective

Women in Japan are some of the most highly educated and highest qualified in the world and yet they face challenges with the expectations of a traditional culture that still pushes them into traditional roles.

According to the latest equality ranking by the World Economic Forum, Japan ranked 118th among nearly 150 countries, with women's presence in the field of politics notably low.

Top roles have historically been held by men and Japan has faced difficulties to boost the number of female lawmakers and business leaders.

The world's fourth largest economic power ranks at the bottom among the Group of Seven nations when it comes to the share of women in its legislative body. In detail, females constitute about less than 16% of legislators in Japan, the smallest proportion among the G7.

Progress is also sluggish when it comes to women's reproductive health: only this week was it revealed that the “morning after” pill – a type of emergency contraception sold over the counter in over ninety countries – had finally been approved for over the counter use in Japan.

Differing Reactions to the Historic Appointment

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

“It is highly meaningful in Ms Takaichi becoming prime minister, with a wider influence on the public,” Naomi Koshi – who was elected as the country's most youthful woman mayor in 2012 – told local media.

She contended Japan electing a woman prime minister will “lower psychological barriers” for females of all ages, helping them feel it is acceptable to “excel” as leaders in companies and the community, despite gender-based stereotypes and norms still remain.

But a 20-year-old points out that, while it is remarkable Japan has its first female prime minister, one must remember it required her more than 30 years to reach that position.

“Additionally, she is not really going against the norm. She expresses the identical views 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 woman.

“We need to ensure we're talking about her policies. We must be able to evaluate her equally as everyone else.”

Ideological Background and Influences

It is not only what Takaichi has stated which has led people to label her as a supporter of the patriarchy.

It's also apparent by which individuals her supporters within the LDP have been.

She's the protégé of the deceased former conservative 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.

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

“I believe that it is challenging for women to somewhat identify with her success because it furthers this idea that we have to be compliant with the existing system,” 21-year-old a citizen remarks.

The 21-year-old concurs, stating that with her as a figurehead for women in politics, “people are going to expect the identical from women as well”.

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

Future Obstacles and Expectations

Achieving this milestone, however, was only the initial of the difficulties Takaichi will face – including addressing a slow growth and inflation and winning back the trust of a frustrated and angry voting public, as in addition to welcoming president Trump within a short time of assuming office.

It's safe to say that no-one expects women's rights matters to be a top priority on her priority list.