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To numerous young girls in Japan today, the sight of Sanae Takaichi assuming leadership as the country's first ever female prime minister is powerful and influential.

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

However, although the appearances suggest a forward-thinking era, certain females do not view her as an advocate for change.

It was rather interesting to observe how people outside Japan have responded to the news,” a 21-year-old states.

People are saying, ‘wow, she's the first female prime minister in Japanese history and that would be a great opportunity for women empowerment and equal rights in Japan’.

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

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

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

Similar to Thatcher, Takaichi is a firm conservative.

Analysts note her leadership is a tactical move from the governing Liberal Democratic Party to appeal to the more conservative base which had recently gravitated towards Japan's parties further to the right.

The leader is against same-sex marriage and has consistently voted against laws that would allow spouses to have different last names, 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 moderated some of her statements during her election bid – stating she supports giving tax incentives to businesses that provide childcare facilities to their staff and mentioned possible tax breaks for households investing in childcare.

Yet she has over the years backed the idea of a more traditional position for women in the community and in the home.

Regarding women's issues, Takaichi is aligned with her nation's subpar performance on equality concerns.

Japan's Gender Gap in Perspective

Women in Japan are among the most highly educated and highest qualified 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 equality ranking by the global organization, Japan ranked 118th out of among 148 nations, with women's presence in the political arena notably low.

Leadership positions have traditionally been dominated by men and Japan has faced difficulties to increase the number of women legislators and business leaders.

The world's fourth largest economy places last among the G7 countries when it comes to the percentage of women in its legislative body. Specifically, females constitute about 15.7% of legislators in Japan, the smallest proportion among the seven major economies.

Progress is also sluggish when it comes to female healthcare: only this week was it revealed that the “morning after” pill – a type of emergency contraception sold over the counter in more than 90 countries – 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 change how females perceive their prospects.

“It is highly meaningful in the new prime minister assuming the role of prime minister, with a broader impact on society,” a former mayor – who was elected as the country's youngest female city leader in 2012 – informed Japan's Kyodo news agency.

Koshi argued Japan having a female prime minister will “reduce mental obstacles” for females of all ages, enabling them to believe it is acceptable to “stand out” as authorities in companies and the community, despite gender-based stereotypes and expectations still persist.

But Audrey Hill-Uekawa points out that, while it is notable Japan has its first female prime minister, it is important to recall it required her over three decades to reach that position.

“Additionally, she is not truly going against the grain. She expresses the same thing as the men.”

The young woman further states that she shouldn't be put on a pedestal simply because she is a woman.

“It is essential to make sure we're discussing her agenda. We need to be capable of evaluate her fairly as everyone else.”

Ideological Context and Influences

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

Additionally, it is apparent by who her supporters within the LDP have been.

She's the protégé of the late former hawkish prime minister Shinzo Abe, and was backed in the party vote by a senior politician – a senior figure in the ruling party at the head of one of the government's most influential conservative blocs.

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

“I do feel that it is difficult for women to sort of relate to her success because it furthers this idea that we have to be compliant with the status quo,” 21-year-old a citizen remarks.

The 21-year-old concurs, stating that with her as a symbol for females in politics, “the public 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 have, and it might make our role harder.”

Future Obstacles and Expectations

Making history, though, was only the initial of the difficulties Takaichi will face – not least tackling a sluggish economy and rising prices and regaining the trust of a frustrated and angry electorate, as well as welcoming the US leader within a short time of taking power.

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