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For many young girls in Japan currently, the image of Sanae Takaichi assuming leadership as the nation's inaugural woman leader is impactful 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.

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

It was rather fascinating to see how people outside Japan have responded to the announcement,” a 21-year-old says.

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

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

Conversely, the young woman highlights her “political beliefs and what she represents,” noting: “She perpetuates the male-dominated structure.”

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

Similar to Thatcher, Takaichi is a firm conservative.

Observers say her ascension is a tactical move from the ruling LDP to appeal to the increasingly right-leaning base which had recently gravitated towards Japan's more extreme conservative groups.

The leader is against marriage equality and has consistently voted against laws that would permit spouses to have separate surnames, blocking many females from keeping their birth surnames.

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

Nonetheless, she did soften some of her messaging during her election bid – saying she supports giving financial benefits to companies that offer daycare services to their staff and mentioned possible deductions for families investing in child-rearing.

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

Regarding gender matters, Takaichi is consistent with her country's subpar record on gender issues.

Japan's Inequality in Perspective

Women in Japan are some of the best educated and highest qualified in the globe and yet they face challenges with the demands of a traditional culture that still directs them into conventional positions.

According to the latest gender gap index by the global organization, Japan ranked 118th among 148 nations, with female representation in the political arena particularly minimal.

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

The world's fourth largest economic power ranks last among the Group of Seven nations when it comes to the percentage of females in its legislative body. Specifically, women make up about 15.7% of lawmakers in Japan, the lowest figure among the G7.

Progress is also sluggish when it comes to female healthcare: recently was it announced that the “morning after” pill – a form of post-coital birth control available without prescription in more than 90 nations – had at last been authorized for non-prescription sales in Japan.

Mixed Responses to the Historic Leadership

Nonetheless, certain individuals view Takaichi's rise to power as a pivotal moment that could change how females view their prospects.

“There is great significance in Ms Takaichi assuming the role of prime minister, with a wider influence on society,” Naomi Koshi – who was elected as the nation's most youthful woman city leader in 2012 – told local media.

She contended Japan having a woman prime minister will “lower mental obstacles” for females of all ages, enabling them to believe it is normal to “stand out” as authorities in businesses and the community, despite gender-based stereotypes and norms still remain.

But Audrey Hill-Uekawa notes that, while it is remarkable Japan has its first female leader, it is important to recall it took her more than 30 years to get to that office.

“She's also not truly going against the norm. She expresses the identical views as the men.”

The young woman adds that she ought not be placed on a platform just due to the fact she is a female.

“We need to ensure we're talking about her policies. We need to be able to evaluate her equally as everyone else.”

Political Background and Influences

It is not only what Takaichi has said which has led people to label her as a defender 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 leadership election by a senior politician – a prominent member in the ruling party at the leadership of one of the ruling party's most influential right-wing factions.

Their group's backing for Sanae Takaichi was crucial in uniting the conservative wing in her favor.

“I do feel that it is challenging for women to somewhat relate to her achievement because it furthers this idea that we have to be obedient with the existing system,” 21-year-old Minori Konishi remarks.

Ms Ogura agrees, saying that with her as a figurehead for women in politics, “people are likely to anticipate the same from women as too”.

“They will demand women to be compliant, not go against the ideals that they hold, and it might make our job more difficult.”

Upcoming Challenges and Expectations

Making history, though, was just the first of the challenges Takaichi will encounter – not least addressing a slow growth and rising prices and winning back the confidence of a frustrated and angry electorate, as well as welcoming the US leader within days of taking power.

One can reasonably assume that no-one expects women's rights matters to be high on her priority list.