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For many young girls in Japan currently, the sight of Sanae Takaichi assuming leadership as the nation's first ever female prime minister is powerful and influential.

This signifies a patriarchal society and a political system that has long been dominated by men is now led by a woman.

However, although the optics suggest a forward-thinking era, some women do not view her as an champion of progress.

“It was quite fascinating to see how individuals beyond Japan's borders have reacted to the news,” Ayda Ogura states.

People are saying, ‘wow, she's the inaugural woman prime minister in the nation's past and that would be a significant chance for female advancement and gender equality in Japan’.

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

Instead, the young woman 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.

Analysts note her leadership is a strategic decision from the governing Liberal Democratic Party to appeal to the more conservative supporters which had lately shifted towards Japan's parties further to the right.

The leader is against same-sex marriage and has consistently voted against legislation that would permit married couples to have different last names, blocking 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 messaging during her campaign – saying she supports giving tax incentives to companies that offer childcare facilities to their staff and spoke of potential tax breaks for households investing in child-rearing.

But she has historically supported the notion of a conventional role for females in the community and in the home.

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

The Country's Gender Gap in Perspective

Japanese women are some of the best educated and highest qualified in the world and yet they struggle with the expectations of a traditional culture that still directs them into traditional roles.

Based on the latest gender gap index by the World Economic Forum, Japan ranked 118th among nearly 150 nations, with female representation in the political arena particularly minimal.

Leadership positions have historically been held by males and Japan has faced difficulties to increase the number of female lawmakers and corporate executives.

The globally fourth biggest economy ranks last among the Group of Seven nations when it comes to the share of females in its legislative body. In detail, females constitute about less than 16% of legislators in Japan, the smallest proportion among the G7.

Progress is also sluggish when it comes to female healthcare: recently was it revealed that the “emergency” pill – a type of post-coital birth control sold over the counter in more than 90 nations – had at last been authorized for non-prescription sales in Japan.

Differing Reactions to the Landmark Leadership

Even so, some see Takaichi's rise to power as a critical juncture that could alter how women perceive their opportunities.

“There is great significance in Ms Takaichi assuming the role of prime minister, with a wider influence on the public,” Naomi Koshi – who became the nation's youngest female mayor in 2012 – informed local media.

Koshi argued Japan electing a female prime minister will “reduce psychological barriers” for women and girls, enabling them to believe it is acceptable to “excel” as authorities in businesses and the community, even as biased expectations and expectations still remain.

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

“She's also not truly going against the norm. She expresses 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 woman.

“We need to make sure we're talking about her policies. We need to be capable of evaluate her equally as all other leaders.”

Political Background and Influences

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

Additionally, it is evident by which individuals her supporters within the LDP have been.

She was mentored of the deceased ex- conservative prime minister a previous leader, and was endorsed in the party vote by Taro Aso – a prominent member in the ruling party at the head of one of the ruling party's most influential right-wing factions.

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

“I do feel that it is difficult for women to sort of identify with her achievement because it promotes this notion that we must be compliant with the status quo,” 21-year-old a citizen says.

Ms Ogura concurs, stating that with her as a figurehead for women in politics, “people are likely to anticipate the same from us as well”.

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

Future Obstacles and Expectations

Making history, however, was just the first of the difficulties Takaichi will face – not least addressing a sluggish economy and rising prices and regaining the confidence of a discontented and angry electorate, as well as hosting the US leader within days of taking power.

It's safe to say that no-one expects gender equality issues to be a top priority on her priority list.