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

This signifies a patriarchal society and a political system that has historically been controlled by men is currently headed by a female.

However, although the optics speak of a forward-thinking era, certain females don't see her as an advocate for change.

“It was quite fascinating to observe how people outside Japan have reacted to the announcement,” Ayda Ogura states.

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

In my opinion that's a rather simplistic interpretation.”

Instead, Ms Ogura points to her “political beliefs and what she stands for,” noting: “She reinforces the patriarchal system.”

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

And like Thatcher, Takaichi is a firm conservative.

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

Takaichi opposes marriage equality and has consistently voted against legislation that would allow married couples to have separate surnames, preventing many females from keeping their birth surnames.

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

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

Yet she has over the years backed the notion of a conventional position for women in society and in the family.

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

Japan's Inequality in Context

Women in Japan are some of the best educated and highest qualified in the world and yet they struggle with the expectations of a traditional culture that still pushes them into conventional positions.

According to the latest gender gap index by the global organization, Japan placed 118th among nearly 150 nations, with women's presence in the political arena particularly minimal.

Top roles have traditionally been dominated by men and Japan has faced difficulties to increase the quantity of women legislators and corporate executives.

The world's fourth largest economy places last among the Group of Seven nations when it comes to the share of females in its national parliament. In detail, females make up about 15.7% of lawmakers in Japan, the smallest proportion among the seven major economies.

Progress is also sluggish when it comes to female healthcare: recently was it announced that the “emergency” pill – a type of emergency contraception available without prescription in more than 90 countries – had finally been approved for non-prescription sales in Japan.

Differing Reactions to the Historic Leadership

Even so, some see Takaichi's ascent as a pivotal moment that could alter how women 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,” Naomi Koshi – who was elected as the country's youngest female city leader in 2012 – informed Japan's Kyodo news agency.

She contended Japan electing a female prime minister will “reduce mental obstacles” for women and girls, enabling them to believe it is acceptable to “excel” as leaders in companies and society, despite gender-based stereotypes and expectations still persist.

But a 20-year-old notes that, while it is remarkable Japan has its first female prime minister, one must remember it took her more than 30 years to get to that office.

“She's also not truly challenging the norm. She expresses the identical views as the men.”

Ms Hill-Uekawa further states that she ought not be placed on a platform simply because she is a woman.

“It is essential to make sure we're talking about her agenda. We need to be capable of evaluate her fairly as everyone else.”

Ideological Background and Associations

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

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

She's the protégé of the late former conservative prime minister a previous leader, and was backed in the leadership election by Taro Aso – a senior figure 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 crucial in uniting the party's right wing behind her.

“I do feel that it is difficult for women to sort of relate to her success because it furthers this idea that we have to be compliant with the status quo,” 21-year-old Minori Konishi says.

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

“They will demand women to be conforming, not oppose the ideals that they hold, and it could render our role harder.”

Upcoming Obstacles and Expectations

Making history, however, was only the initial of the difficulties Takaichi will face – including addressing a sluggish economy and rising prices and winning back the trust of a discontented and angry voting public, as in addition to hosting president Trump within a short time of taking power.

One can reasonably assume that few anticipate gender equality issues to be high on her agenda.