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To numerous young girls in Japan currently, the sight of Sanae Takaichi taking the helm as the country's first ever female prime minister is powerful and formative.

This signifies a patriarchal society and a political system that has historically been controlled by men is now led by a female.

But while the appearances suggest a progressive moment, certain females don't see her as an champion of progress.

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

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

“I think that's a rather simplistic view.”

Conversely, Ms Ogura highlights her “political beliefs and what she represents,” adding: “She perpetuates 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.

And like Thatcher, Takaichi is a staunch right-wing politician.

Analysts note her ascension is a strategic decision 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 consistently voted against laws that would allow married couples to have separate surnames, blocking many women from retaining their maiden names.

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

However, she moderated some of her statements during her campaign – stating she favours giving financial benefits to companies that offer daycare services to their employees and spoke of potential tax breaks for families investing in childcare.

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

When it comes to women's issues, Takaichi is aligned with her country's less than impressive performance on gender issues.

The Country's Inequality in Context

Women in Japan are some of the best educated and highest qualified in the globe and yet they struggle with the expectations of a conservative society that still pushes them into conventional positions.

According to the latest equality ranking by the global organization, Japan ranked 118th among nearly 150 nations, with women's presence in the political arena particularly minimal.

Leadership positions have traditionally been dominated by males and Japan has struggled to increase the number of female lawmakers and corporate executives.

The globally fourth biggest economic power ranks at the bottom among the G7 countries when it comes to the share of females in its national parliament. In detail, women constitute about less than 16% of lawmakers in Japan, the smallest proportion among the seven major economies.

Progress is also sluggish when it comes to female healthcare: recently was it revealed that the “morning after” pill – a form of post-coital birth control available without prescription in over ninety countries – had at last been authorized for over the counter use in Japan.

Differing Responses to the Historic Leadership

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

“There is great significance in the new prime minister assuming the role of prime minister, with a wider influence on society,” a former mayor – who became the country's youngest female mayor in 2012 – told local media.

She contended Japan electing a woman prime minister will “reduce mental obstacles” for females of all ages, helping them feel it is normal to “excel” as authorities in businesses and the community, despite biased expectations and norms still persist.

However a 20-year-old notes that, while it is notable Japan has its first female prime minister, one must remember it required her more than 30 years to reach that position.

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

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

“It is essential to make sure we're discussing her agenda. We need to be capable of criticise her fairly as all other leaders.”

Political Context and Influences

It is not just what Takaichi has stated which has led people to label her as a supporter of the male-dominated system.

Additionally, it is evident by which individuals her supporters within the LDP have were.

She was mentored of the late former conservative prime minister a previous leader, and was endorsed in the party vote by Taro Aso – a prominent member in the LDP at the head of one of the ruling party's most powerful conservative blocs.

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

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

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

“They're going to expect women to be conforming, not oppose the ideals that they have, and it might make our job harder.”

Upcoming Obstacles and Expectations

Achieving this milestone, however, was just the first of the difficulties Takaichi will encounter – not least addressing a slow growth and rising prices and regaining the trust of a frustrated and angry electorate, as well as welcoming president Trump within a short time of taking power.

It's safe to say that few anticipate gender equality issues to be high on her priority list.