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To numerous young girls in Japan currently, the sight of Sanae Takaichi assuming leadership as the nation's inaugural female prime minister is powerful and formative.

It means a male-oriented culture and a political system that has long been dominated by men is currently headed by a female.

However, although the optics suggest a forward-thinking era, certain females don't see her as an advocate for change.

“It was quite interesting to observe how individuals outside Japan have responded to the news,” Ayda Ogura says.

“Everyone's like, ‘wow, she's the inaugural woman prime minister in Japanese history and that would be a significant chance for women empowerment and equal rights in Japan’.

“I think that's a very naive interpretation.”

Conversely, Ms Ogura points to her “political beliefs and what she represents,” noting: “She perpetuates the patriarchal system.”

A big fan of Margaret Thatcher, Sanae Takaichi has always wanted to be the “Steel Magnolia” of her country.

And like Thatcher, Takaichi is a firm conservative.

Observers say her leadership is a tactical move from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party to attract the increasingly right-leaning base which had recently gravitated towards Japan's more extreme conservative groups.

The leader is against same-sex marriage and has consistently voted against laws that would allow married couples to have separate surnames, preventing many females from keeping their maiden names.

She's also opposed to females being in line for succession in the imperial family.

However, she did soften some of her messaging during her election bid – stating she supports giving tax incentives to businesses that offer daycare services to their employees and spoke of possible tax breaks for families spending on child-rearing.

Yet she has historically supported the idea of a more traditional position for females in society and in the home.

Regarding gender matters, Takaichi is aligned with her nation's less than impressive performance on equality concerns.

The Country's Inequality in Perspective

Women in Japan are among the most highly educated and highest qualified in the globe and yet they struggle with the demands of a traditional culture that still directs them into traditional roles.

Based on the latest equality ranking by the global organization, Japan placed 118th out of among nearly 150 nations, with female representation in the political arena notably low.

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

The globally fourth biggest economy ranks last among the Group of Seven nations when it comes to the percentage of females in its national parliament. In detail, women constitute about 15.7% of legislators in Japan, the smallest proportion among the seven major economies.

Progress is also sluggish when it comes to women's reproductive health: only this week was it revealed that the “morning after” pill – a type of post-coital birth control sold over the counter in more than 90 countries – had finally been approved 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 change how women view their prospects.

“It is highly meaningful in Ms Takaichi becoming prime minister, with a broader impact on society,” Naomi Koshi – who became the country's youngest female mayor in 2012 – informed local media.

She contended Japan electing a female prime minister will “lower mental obstacles” for women and girls, enabling them to believe it is normal to “excel” as authorities in companies and society, despite gender-based stereotypes and expectations still remain.

However a 20-year-old points out that, while it is remarkable Japan has its first female prime minister, one must remember it took her over three decades to reach that office.

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

The young woman further states that she shouldn't be put on a pedestal just due to the fact she is a female.

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

Ideological Context and Associations

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

It's also apparent by who her supporters inside the party have were.

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

His faction's support for Sanae Takaichi was pivotal in consolidating the party's right wing in her favor.

“I believe that it is difficult for women to sort of identify with her success because it furthers this notion that we have to be compliant with the status quo,” 21-year-old Minori Konishi remarks.

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

“They're going to expect women to be conforming, not oppose the beliefs that they hold, and it could render our job harder.”

Future Challenges and Expectations

Making history, however, was only the initial of the difficulties Takaichi will face – not least 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 a short time of assuming office.

One can reasonably assume that few anticipate women's rights matters to be high on her priority list.