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For many young girls in Japan currently, the image of Sanae Takaichi assuming leadership as the nation's inaugural female prime minister is impactful and influential.

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 suggest a progressive moment, some women don't see her as an champion of progress.

It was rather fascinating to see 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 Japanese history and that would be a significant chance for female advancement and gender equality in Japan’.

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

Instead, Ms Ogura highlights her “political beliefs and what she represents,” adding: “She perpetuates the male-dominated structure.”

A strong admirer of Margaret Thatcher, Sanae Takaichi has long aspired to be the “Steel Magnolia” of her nation.

Similar to Thatcher, Takaichi is a firm conservative.

Analysts note her ascension is a strategic decision from the governing Liberal Democratic Party to appeal to the increasingly right-leaning base which had recently gravitated towards Japan's parties further to the right.

Takaichi opposes same-sex marriage and has consistently voted against laws that would allow married couples to have separate surnames, preventing many women from retaining their birth surnames.

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

Nonetheless, she did soften some of her messaging during her campaign – saying she supports giving tax incentives to businesses that offer daycare services to their employees and mentioned possible deductions for families spending on child-rearing.

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

When it comes to women's issues, Takaichi is consistent with her nation's subpar record on gender issues.

Japan's Inequality in Perspective

Japanese women are among the most highly educated and most skilled in the world and yet they struggle with the expectations of a conservative society that still pushes them into traditional roles.

Based on the latest gender gap index by the global organization, Japan ranked 118th out of among 148 nations, with women's presence in the political arena particularly minimal.

Leadership positions have traditionally been dominated by men and Japan has struggled to boost the quantity of female lawmakers and corporate executives.

The world's fourth largest economy ranks last among the G7 countries when it comes to the percentage of females in its national parliament. Specifically, females make up about less than 16% of lawmakers in Japan, the lowest figure among the seven major economies.

It is even slow when it comes to women's reproductive health: recently was it revealed that the “morning after” pill – a type of emergency contraception sold over the counter in more than 90 nations – had finally been approved for over the counter use in Japan.

Mixed Responses to the Historic Leadership

Even so, some see Takaichi's ascent as a pivotal moment that could change how women view their opportunities.

“It is highly meaningful in the new prime minister becoming prime minister, with a broader impact on the public,” a former mayor – who was elected as the country's most youthful woman mayor in 2012 – told Japan's Kyodo news agency.

She contended Japan having a female prime minister will “lower 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.

But a 20-year-old points out that, while it is notable Japan has its first female leader, one must remember it required her over three decades to get to that office.

“She's also not truly going against the norm. She's saying the identical views as the male politicians.”

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

“We need to ensure we're talking about her agenda. We need to be capable of evaluate her fairly as everyone else.”

Ideological Context and Influences

It is not just what Takaichi has stated which has caused individuals to describe her as a supporter of the male-dominated system.

Additionally, it is evident by which individuals her supporters inside the party have were.

She's the protégé of the late ex- hawkish prime minister a previous leader, and was backed in the party vote by Taro Aso – a senior figure in the LDP at the head of one of the government's most powerful conservative blocs.

His faction's backing for Sanae Takaichi was pivotal in uniting the party's right wing behind her.

“I do feel that it is challenging for females to sort of identify with her success because it promotes this notion that we must be obedient with the status quo,” young adult Minori Konishi says.

Ms Ogura concurs, stating that with her as a figurehead for females in politics, “people are going to expect the same from us as too”.

“They will demand us to be compliant, not oppose the beliefs that they have, and it might make our job more difficult.”

Future Obstacles and Expectations

Making history, however, was just the first of the challenges Takaichi will encounter – not least tackling a slow growth and inflation and regaining the confidence of a discontented and angry electorate, as in addition to welcoming the US leader within days of assuming office.

It's safe to say that no-one expects women's rights matters to be high on her agenda.