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For many young girls in Japan currently, the sight of Sanae Takaichi taking the helm as the nation's first ever female prime minister is impactful and formative.

It means a male-oriented culture and a political system that has historically been controlled by men is now led by a woman.

But while the appearances suggest a progressive moment, some women don't see her as an advocate for change.

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

“Everyone's like, ‘wow, she's the first female prime minister in the nation's past and that would be a great opportunity for women empowerment and equal rights in Japan’.

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

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

A strong admirer of Britain's first female prime minister, Sanae Takaichi has always wanted to be the “Steel Magnolia” of her country.

Similar to Thatcher, Takaichi is a firm conservative.

Observers say her ascension is a strategic decision from the governing LDP to appeal to the increasingly right-leaning base which had lately shifted towards Japan's parties further to the right.

The leader is against marriage equality and has consistently voted against laws that would permit married couples to have different last names, blocking many females from keeping their birth surnames.

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

However, she did soften certain her messaging during her campaign – saying she favours giving tax incentives to businesses that provide daycare services to their employees and spoke of possible deductions for households investing in childcare.

Yet she has historically backed the idea of a conventional position for women 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 Context

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

According to the latest equality ranking by the global organization, Japan ranked 118th out of among nearly 150 countries, with female representation in the field of politics notably low.

Leadership positions have traditionally been dominated by males and Japan has struggled to boost the quantity of female lawmakers and business leaders.

The world's fourth largest economy places at the bottom among the G7 countries when it comes to the percentage of females in its legislative body. Specifically, females make up about less than 16% 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 announced that the “morning after” pill – a form of post-coital birth control sold over the counter in over ninety nations – had at last been authorized for non-prescription sales in Japan.

Differing Responses to the Historic Appointment

Even so, some see Takaichi's rise to power as a critical juncture that could change how females view their opportunities.

“There is great significance in Ms Takaichi becoming prime minister, with a wider influence on society,” Naomi Koshi – who was elected as the nation's youngest female city leader in 2012 – informed Japan's Kyodo news agency.

She contended Japan having a woman 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 biased expectations and norms still remain.

However Audrey Hill-Uekawa points out that, while it is remarkable Japan has its first female leader, one must remember it took her more than 30 years to reach that office.

“Additionally, she is not truly challenging the grain. She expresses the identical views as the male politicians.”

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

“We need to ensure we're talking about her agenda. We must be capable of evaluate her fairly as all other leaders.”

Ideological Background and Associations

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

It's also evident by who her champions inside the party have been.

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

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

“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 existing system,” 21-year-old Minori Konishi remarks.

The 21-year-old concurs, stating that with her as a symbol for females in government, “people are likely to anticipate the same from us as too”.

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

Upcoming Obstacles and Expectations

Achieving this milestone, however, was just the first of the difficulties Takaichi will encounter – including addressing a slow growth and inflation and winning back the confidence of a discontented and angry electorate, as well as welcoming the US leader within a short time of taking power.

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