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To numerous female youth in Japan today, the sight of Sanae Takaichi taking the helm as the nation's inaugural female leader is impactful and influential.

This signifies a male-oriented culture and a government structure that has historically been controlled by men is currently headed by a female.

However, although the optics speak of a progressive moment, some women don't see her as an champion of progress.

“It was quite fascinating to observe how individuals beyond Japan's borders have responded to the announcement,” Ayda Ogura states.

People are saying, ‘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’.

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

Conversely, the young woman highlights her “ideological stance and what she stands for,” adding: “She reinforces the patriarchal system.”

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 leadership is a strategic decision from the governing Liberal Democratic Party to attract the more conservative supporters which had recently gravitated towards Japan's parties further to the right.

Takaichi opposes marriage equality and has long stood against legislation that would permit married couples to have separate surnames, blocking many females from retaining their maiden names.

She's also opposed to females being in eligible for the throne in the royal household.

However, she did soften certain her statements during her campaign – stating she supports giving tax incentives to companies that offer daycare services to their staff and spoke of possible deductions for households spending on childcare.

But she has historically supported the notion of a more traditional role for women in the community and in the home.

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

Japan's Gender Gap in Perspective

Japanese women are among the best educated and most skilled in the globe and yet they face challenges with the expectations of a conservative society that still pushes them into conventional positions.

Based on the latest equality ranking by the World Economic Forum, Japan ranked 118th among 148 countries, with female representation in the field of politics particularly minimal.

Top roles have traditionally been dominated by males and Japan has struggled to increase the quantity of female lawmakers and business leaders.

The globally fourth biggest economy ranks last among the Group of Seven nations when it comes to the share of women in its national parliament. Specifically, women constitute about less than 16% of lawmakers in Japan, the lowest figure among the seven major economies.

It is even slow when it comes to female healthcare: recently was it revealed that the “morning after” pill – a type of emergency contraception available without prescription in over ninety nations – had finally been approved for non-prescription sales in Japan.

Differing Responses to the Historic Appointment

Nonetheless, some see Takaichi's ascent as a pivotal moment that could change how women perceive their prospects.

“There is great significance in Ms Takaichi becoming prime minister, with a wider influence on the public,” a former mayor – who was elected as the nation's most youthful woman mayor in 2012 – told local media.

Koshi argued Japan having a female prime minister will “reduce mental obstacles” for women and girls, enabling them to believe it is normal to “stand out” as authorities in businesses and society, despite biased expectations and expectations still persist.

But Audrey Hill-Uekawa points out that, while it is notable Japan has its first female leader, one must remember it took her over three decades to get to that position.

“She's also not truly challenging 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 woman.

“We need to make sure we're discussing her policies. We must be capable of criticise her equally as everyone else.”

Political Background and Associations

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

It's also evident by who her champions within the LDP have been.

She was mentored of the deceased former hawkish prime minister a previous leader, and was endorsed in the leadership election by a senior politician – a prominent member in the LDP at the leadership of one of the ruling party's most influential right-wing factions.

His faction's support for Sanae Takaichi was crucial in uniting the conservative wing behind her.

“I do feel that it is difficult for women to sort of identify with her success because it furthers this notion that we must be obedient with the existing system,” young adult a citizen remarks.

Ms Ogura concurs, saying that with her as a symbol for females in government, “the public are likely to anticipate the identical from women as too”.

“They will demand us to be compliant, not go against the ideals that they hold, and it could render our job harder.”

Upcoming Obstacles and Anticipations

Achieving this milestone, though, was just the first of the difficulties Takaichi will encounter – including addressing a sluggish economy and inflation and winning back the confidence of a frustrated and angry electorate, as in addition to welcoming president Trump within days of assuming office.

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