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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 powerful and influential.

It means a patriarchal society and a political system that has long been dominated by men is currently headed by a female.

But while the optics suggest a progressive moment, certain females do not view her as an advocate for change.

“It was quite interesting to observe how people beyond Japan's borders have reacted to the news,” a 21-year-old states.

“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 very naive interpretation.”

Conversely, Ms Ogura points to her “ideological stance and what she represents,” noting: “She reinforces the male-dominated structure.”

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

Similar to Thatcher, Takaichi is a firm conservative.

Analysts note her leadership is a tactical move from the governing Liberal Democratic Party to attract the more conservative base 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.

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 – saying she supports giving tax incentives to companies that offer childcare facilities to their staff and mentioned potential tax breaks for households spending on childcare.

Yet she has over the years supported the idea of a more traditional role for females in society and in the home.

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

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

According to the latest gender gap index by the global organization, Japan placed 118th among 148 countries, with female representation in the political arena particularly minimal.

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

The globally fourth biggest economy ranks at the bottom among the Group of Seven nations 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 seven major economies.

Progress is also sluggish when it comes to women's reproductive health: recently was it revealed that the “morning after” pill – a form of post-coital birth control sold over the counter in over ninety countries – had at last been authorized for non-prescription sales in Japan.

Differing Reactions to the Historic Appointment

Even so, certain individuals view Takaichi's ascent as a critical juncture that could alter how women perceive their opportunities.

“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 country's youngest female city leader in 2012 – informed Japan's Kyodo news agency.

Koshi argued Japan electing a woman prime minister will “reduce mental obstacles” for women and girls, helping them feel it is acceptable to “excel” as leaders in businesses and the community, even as biased expectations and norms still persist.

However Audrey Hill-Uekawa notes that, while it is remarkable Japan has its inaugural woman prime minister, it is important to recall it required her over three decades to get to that position.

“She's also not really going against the norm. She's saying the same thing as the male politicians.”

The young woman adds that she ought not be placed on a pedestal simply because she is a woman.

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

Ideological Background and Associations

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

Additionally, it is apparent by who her supporters 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 Taro Aso – a senior figure in the LDP at the leadership of one of the government's most influential conservative blocs.

His faction's backing for Sanae Takaichi was crucial in consolidating the conservative wing in her favor.

“I believe that it is difficult for women to somewhat identify with her achievement because it promotes this idea that we must be compliant with the status quo,” young adult a citizen says.

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

“They will demand us to be conforming, not go against the beliefs that they hold, and it might make our role harder.”

Upcoming Obstacles and Expectations

Achieving this milestone, though, was just the first of the difficulties Takaichi will encounter – not least tackling a sluggish economy and inflation and winning back the confidence of a discontented and irate voting public, as in addition to hosting the US leader within days of assuming office.

It's safe to say that few anticipate women's rights matters to be a top priority on her agenda.