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To numerous young girls in Japan currently, the image of Sanae Takaichi assuming leadership as the nation's first ever female leader is powerful and formative.

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

However, although the optics speak of a progressive moment, certain females don't see her as an champion of progress.

It was rather fascinating to observe how people beyond Japan's borders have responded to the announcement,” a 21-year-old says.

People are saying, ‘wow, she's the inaugural woman prime minister in Japanese history and that would be a significant chance for women empowerment and gender equality in Japan’.

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

Conversely, the young woman points to her “political beliefs and what she stands for,” noting: “She perpetuates the male-dominated structure.”

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

Similar to Thatcher, Takaichi is a firm right-wing politician.

Analysts note her leadership is a strategic decision from the governing LDP to appeal to the more conservative base which had lately shifted towards Japan's more extreme conservative groups.

The leader is against marriage equality and has long stood against laws that would permit married couples to have separate surnames, blocking many females from retaining their maiden names.

Additionally, she is opposed to women being in line for succession in the royal household.

Nonetheless, she did soften some of her messaging during her campaign – saying she favours giving financial benefits to companies that offer childcare facilities to their employees and spoke of potential tax breaks for households spending on childcare.

But she has historically backed the notion of a more traditional position for females in society and in the family.

Regarding women's issues, Takaichi is consistent with her country's less than impressive record on equality concerns.

Japan's Inequality in Perspective

Japanese women are some of the best educated and highest qualified in the globe and yet they struggle with the expectations of a traditional culture that still pushes them into conventional positions.

Based on the latest equality ranking by the World Economic Forum, Japan ranked 118th out of among 148 nations, with female representation in the field of politics notably low.

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

The globally fourth biggest economy places last among the Group of Seven nations when it comes to the percentage of females in its national parliament. Specifically, women make up about 15.7% 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 announced that the “morning after” pill – a type of emergency contraception sold over the counter in more than 90 nations – had at last been authorized for over the counter use in Japan.

Differing Responses to the Historic Appointment

Even so, some see Takaichi's ascent as a pivotal moment that could change how females perceive their prospects.

“It is highly meaningful in Ms Takaichi becoming prime minister, with a broader impact on society,” a former mayor – who became the nation's youngest female mayor in 2012 – informed local media.

She contended Japan electing a woman prime minister will “lower psychological barriers” for women and girls, enabling them to believe it is acceptable to “excel” as authorities in businesses and the community, even as biased expectations and norms still remain.

However Audrey Hill-Uekawa points out that, while it is remarkable Japan has its inaugural woman leader, it is important to recall it took her more than 30 years to reach that office.

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

Ms Hill-Uekawa further states that she shouldn't be put on a pedestal simply because she is a woman.

“It is essential to ensure we're discussing her policies. We must be able to evaluate her fairly as all other leaders.”

Political Context and Influences

It is not just what Takaichi has said which has led people to label her as a defender of the patriarchy.

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

She's the protégé of the late former hawkish prime minister a previous leader, and was endorsed in the party vote by a senior politician – a prominent member in the LDP at the leadership of one of the ruling party's most influential conservative blocs.

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

“I do feel that it is difficult for females to somewhat relate to her success because it promotes this idea that we have to be obedient with the existing system,” 21-year-old a citizen says.

Ms Ogura concurs, saying that with her as a symbol for women in government, “the public are going to expect the identical from us as well”.

“They're going to expect us to be compliant, not go against the ideals that they hold, and it might make our job more difficult.”

Future Challenges and Expectations

Achieving this milestone, though, was just the first of the difficulties Takaichi will face – including tackling a slow growth and rising prices and winning back the trust of a frustrated and irate voting public, as in addition to welcoming the US leader within days of assuming office.

One can reasonably assume that no-one expects gender equality issues to be high on her agenda.