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To numerous young girls in Japan today, the image of Sanae Takaichi assuming leadership as the country's first ever woman leader is powerful and influential.

It means a male-oriented culture and a government structure that has historically been controlled by men is currently headed by a woman.

But while the appearances suggest a forward-thinking era, some women do not view her as an champion of progress.

It was rather interesting to observe how individuals beyond Japan's borders have reacted to the announcement,” a 21-year-old states.

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

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

Instead, the young woman points to her “political beliefs and what she represents,” adding: “She reinforces the male-dominated structure.”

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

Similar to Thatcher, Takaichi is a staunch conservative.

Analysts note her leadership is a tactical move from the ruling LDP to attract the increasingly right-leaning base which had recently gravitated towards Japan's more extreme conservative groups.

Takaichi opposes same-sex marriage and has long stood against legislation that would permit married couples to have separate surnames, preventing many women from retaining their birth surnames.

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

However, she did soften some of her messaging during her campaign – saying she supports giving tax incentives to companies that provide childcare facilities to their staff and mentioned possible deductions for families investing in childcare.

Yet she has historically supported the idea of a conventional position for women in society and in the home.

When it comes to gender matters, Takaichi is aligned with her nation's less than impressive record on gender issues.

Japan's Gender Gap in Context

Japanese women are some of the best educated and highest qualified in the globe and yet they struggle with the demands of a conservative society that still pushes them into traditional roles.

Based on the latest equality ranking by the global organization, Japan placed 118th among nearly 150 countries, with women's presence in the political arena notably low.

Leadership positions have historically been held by men and Japan has faced difficulties to increase the number of female lawmakers and business leaders.

The globally fourth biggest economic power places at the bottom among the G7 countries when it comes to the share of females in its national parliament. In detail, females make up about less than 16% of legislators in Japan, the smallest proportion among the G7.

It is even slow when it comes to female healthcare: only this week was it revealed that the “emergency” pill – a form of post-coital birth control available without prescription in more than 90 countries – had finally been approved for non-prescription sales in Japan.

Mixed Reactions to the Landmark Leadership

Nonetheless, some see Takaichi's ascent as a pivotal moment that could change how women view their prospects.

“It is highly meaningful in the new prime minister assuming the role of prime minister, with a broader impact on the public,” a former mayor – who became the nation's most youthful woman city leader in 2012 – informed Japan's Kyodo news agency.

Koshi argued Japan having a female prime minister will “lower psychological barriers” for women and girls, helping them feel it is acceptable to “excel” as leaders in businesses and the community, despite gender-based stereotypes and norms still remain.

But a 20-year-old notes that, while it is remarkable Japan has its inaugural woman leader, it is important to recall it required her over three decades to reach that position.

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

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

“It is essential to ensure we're discussing her policies. We need to be capable of criticise her equally as everyone else.”

Ideological Background and Associations

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

Additionally, it is apparent by who her supporters inside the party have been.

She was mentored of the deceased ex- hawkish prime minister a previous leader, and was endorsed in the party vote by a senior politician – a senior figure in the LDP at the head of one of the government's most powerful conservative blocs.

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

“I do feel that it is difficult for females to sort of relate to her success because it furthers this notion that we have to be obedient with the existing system,” young adult Minori Konishi remarks.

Ms Ogura concurs, saying that with her as a figurehead for females in politics, “the public are likely to anticipate the identical from women as well”.

“They're going to expect women to be compliant, not oppose the ideals that they have, and it might make our role more difficult.”

Upcoming Challenges and Expectations

Making history, however, was just the first of the challenges Takaichi will face – not least tackling a slow growth and rising prices and regaining the trust of a frustrated and angry electorate, as well as hosting the US leader within a short time of assuming office.

It's safe to say that no-one expects women's rights matters to be a top priority on her agenda.