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For many young girls in Japan today, the sight of Sanae Takaichi taking the helm as the country's inaugural female leader is impactful and influential.

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

But while the appearances suggest a progressive moment, certain females don't see her as an advocate for change.

“It was quite interesting to see how individuals outside Japan have responded to the news,” Ayda Ogura 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 women empowerment and gender equality in Japan’.

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

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

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

Similar to Thatcher, Takaichi is a staunch conservative.

Observers say her leadership is a tactical move from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party 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 laws that would allow married couples to have separate surnames, blocking many women from retaining their maiden names.

Additionally, she is opposed to females being in eligible for the throne in the imperial family.

Nonetheless, she did soften some of her statements during her campaign – saying she supports giving financial benefits to companies that offer childcare facilities to their staff and spoke of possible deductions for households investing in childcare.

But she has over the years supported the idea of a more traditional role for women in the community and in the family.

Regarding women's issues, Takaichi is consistent with her country's subpar performance on gender issues.

The Country's Inequality in Context

Japanese women are among the best educated and highest qualified in the world and yet they face challenges with the demands of a conservative society that still directs them into conventional positions.

Based on the latest gender gap index by the World Economic Forum, Japan ranked 118th among 148 nations, with female representation in the political arena particularly minimal.

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

The globally fourth biggest economic power places last among the G7 countries when it comes to the percentage of females in its legislative body. In detail, women constitute about less than 16% of legislators in Japan, the smallest proportion among the G7.

It is even slow when it comes to female healthcare: only this week was it announced that the “morning after” pill – a type of post-coital birth control available without prescription in more than 90 countries – had at last been authorized for over the counter use in Japan.

Differing Responses to the Historic Appointment

Even so, some see Takaichi's ascent as a pivotal moment that could alter how women perceive their prospects.

“It is highly meaningful in the new prime minister becoming prime minister, with a broader impact on society,” Naomi Koshi – who was elected as the nation's youngest female city leader in 2012 – informed local media.

Koshi argued Japan electing a female prime minister will “reduce mental obstacles” for women and girls, helping them feel it is normal to “excel” as leaders in companies and society, even as gender-based stereotypes and norms still persist.

However a 20-year-old points out that, while it is notable Japan has its inaugural woman prime minister, it is important to recall it took her over three decades to get to that office.

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

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

“We need to ensure we're discussing her agenda. We need to be able to evaluate her equally as all other leaders.”

Political Background and Associations

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

Additionally, it is apparent by which individuals her champions within the LDP have were.

She's the protégé of the deceased former conservative prime minister Shinzo Abe, and was endorsed in the leadership election by a senior politician – a prominent member in the LDP at the leadership of one of the government's most influential conservative blocs.

Their group's support for Sanae Takaichi was crucial in uniting the party's right wing in her favor.

“I do feel that it is challenging for females to sort of relate to her achievement because it promotes this idea that we must be compliant with the status quo,” young adult 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 same from us as well”.

“They're going to expect us to be conforming, not oppose the ideals that they hold, and it might make our job harder.”

Upcoming Challenges and Expectations

Making history, however, was only the initial of the challenges Takaichi will face – including tackling a sluggish economy and inflation and winning back the trust of a discontented and angry electorate, as in addition to welcoming the US leader within a short time of assuming office.

One can reasonably assume that no-one expects gender equality issues to be a top priority on her agenda.