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For many young girls in Japan currently, the sight of Sanae Takaichi assuming leadership as the nation's first ever woman leader is impactful and formative.

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

But while the optics speak of a forward-thinking era, some women don't see her as an advocate for change.

It was rather fascinating to observe how people beyond Japan's borders have responded to the announcement,” a 21-year-old 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 rather simplistic view.”

Instead, the young woman highlights her “political beliefs and what she represents,” adding: “She reinforces the patriarchal system.”

A big fan of Britain's first female prime minister, Sanae Takaichi has long aspired to be the “Steel Magnolia” of her nation.

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

Observers say her ascension is a strategic decision from the governing LDP to attract the increasingly right-leaning base which had recently gravitated towards Japan's more extreme conservative groups.

The leader is against marriage equality and has long stood against legislation that would permit spouses to have different last names, blocking many females from retaining their birth surnames.

She's also opposed to women 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 businesses that provide childcare facilities to their staff and spoke of potential tax breaks for families spending on childcare.

But she has over the years backed the idea of a conventional role for women in society and in the family.

When it comes to gender matters, Takaichi is aligned with her country's subpar performance on equality concerns.

The Country's Gender Gap in Context

Japanese women are some of 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.

According to the latest gender gap index by the global organization, Japan placed 118th out of among 148 countries, with female representation in the field of politics notably low.

Top roles have historically been held by males and Japan has struggled to increase the quantity of female lawmakers and corporate executives.

The world's fourth largest economy places last among the Group of Seven nations when it comes to the share of women in its legislative body. In detail, women constitute about 15.7% of lawmakers in Japan, the smallest proportion among the G7.

It is even slow when it comes to women's reproductive health: only this week was it announced that the “emergency” pill – a type of emergency contraception sold over the counter in more than 90 nations – had at last been authorized for over the counter use in Japan.

Differing Responses to the Historic Leadership

Even so, certain individuals view Takaichi's rise to power as a pivotal moment that could alter how women view their prospects.

“It is highly meaningful in Ms Takaichi assuming the role of prime minister, with a broader impact on society,” Naomi Koshi – who became the nation's most youthful woman mayor in 2012 – told Japan's Kyodo news agency.

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

But Audrey Hill-Uekawa points out that, while it is remarkable Japan has its first female leader, it is important to recall it took her over three decades to reach that position.

“Additionally, she is not truly challenging the norm. She's saying the same thing as the male politicians.”

The young woman adds that she shouldn't be put on a platform just due to the fact she is a woman.

“It is essential to ensure we're discussing her agenda. We need to be able to criticise her equally as all other leaders.”

Political Background and Influences

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

Additionally, it is evident by who her champions inside the party have been.

She was mentored of the deceased ex- hawkish prime minister a previous leader, and was backed in the party vote by a senior politician – a prominent member in the LDP at the leadership of one of the government's most powerful right-wing factions.

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

“I do feel that it is challenging for females to somewhat relate to her success because it furthers this notion that we must be compliant with the existing system,” young adult Minori Konishi remarks.

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

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

Upcoming Obstacles and Expectations

Making history, though, was only the initial of the difficulties Takaichi will encounter – including tackling a slow growth and rising prices and regaining the confidence of a discontented and irate electorate, as well as welcoming the US leader within days of taking power.

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