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

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

However, although the appearances speak of a forward-thinking era, some women don't see her as an advocate for change.

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

“Everyone's like, ‘wow, she's the inaugural woman prime minister in the nation's past and that would be a great opportunity for female advancement and gender equality in Japan’.

In my opinion that's a very naive interpretation.”

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

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

And like Thatcher, Takaichi is a staunch right-wing politician.

Observers say her leadership is a tactical move from the governing Liberal Democratic Party to appeal to the more conservative base which had lately shifted towards Japan's more extreme conservative groups.

The leader is against marriage equality and has long stood against laws that would allow spouses to have separate surnames, blocking many women from retaining their birth surnames.

Additionally, she is against women being in eligible for the throne in the imperial family.

Nonetheless, she moderated certain her statements during her election bid – stating she supports giving tax incentives to businesses that offer childcare facilities to their employees and spoke of potential tax breaks for families investing in child-rearing.

Yet she has over the years backed the notion of a more traditional position for females in society and in the family.

Regarding gender matters, Takaichi is consistent with her nation's less than impressive record on gender issues.

The Country's Inequality in Perspective

Women in Japan 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 traditional roles.

Based on the latest gender gap index by the global organization, Japan placed 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 faced difficulties to boost the number of women legislators and business leaders.

The world's fourth largest economy places at the bottom among the G7 countries when it comes to the share of women in its legislative body. In detail, women make up about less than 16% of lawmakers in Japan, the smallest proportion among the G7.

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.

Differing Responses to the Historic Appointment

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

“There is great significance in the new prime minister becoming prime minister, with a broader impact on the public,” Naomi Koshi – who was elected as the country's youngest female mayor in 2012 – informed Japan's Kyodo news agency.

Koshi argued Japan having a woman prime minister will “reduce mental obstacles” for females of all ages, enabling them to believe it is acceptable to “stand out” as leaders in businesses and the community, even as biased expectations and expectations still persist.

But Audrey Hill-Uekawa notes that, while it is remarkable Japan has its first female leader, one must remember it took her over three decades to reach that position.

“She's also not truly challenging the norm. She expresses the same thing as the men.”

The young woman adds that she ought not be placed on a pedestal just due to the fact she is a female.

“It is essential to ensure we're discussing her agenda. We must be able to criticise her equally as everyone else.”

Ideological Context and Influences

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

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

She's the protégé of the deceased ex- hawkish prime minister a previous leader, and was endorsed in the leadership election by Taro Aso – a prominent member in the LDP at the leadership of one of the government's most influential right-wing factions.

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

“I do feel that it is challenging for females to somewhat identify with her success because it furthers this notion that we have to be obedient with the existing system,” 21-year-old a citizen remarks.

Ms Ogura 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 have, and it might make our job more difficult.”

Future Obstacles and Anticipations

Making history, though, was just the first of the difficulties Takaichi will encounter – not least tackling a sluggish economy and rising prices and regaining the trust of a discontented and irate voting public, as in addition to hosting the US leader within a short time of assuming office.

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