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For many young girls in Japan today, the image of Sanae Takaichi taking the helm as the country's inaugural woman prime minister is impactful and formative.

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

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

It was rather fascinating to observe how individuals beyond Japan's borders have reacted to the announcement,” Ayda Ogura says.

“Everyone's like, ‘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 very naive view.”

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

A strong admirer 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.

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

Takaichi opposes marriage equality and has consistently voted against laws that would allow spouses to have different last names, preventing many females from retaining their birth surnames.

She's also against women being in line for succession in the imperial family.

However, she moderated some of her statements during her election bid – saying she favours giving financial benefits to businesses that offer daycare services to their employees and spoke of possible deductions for families investing in childcare.

Yet she has over the years backed the notion of a conventional position for females in the community and in the home.

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

Japan's Gender Gap in Perspective

Japanese women are among the best educated and most skilled in the world and yet they face challenges with the expectations of a conservative society that still directs them into conventional positions.

According to the latest equality ranking by the World Economic Forum, Japan placed 118th among nearly 150 nations, with female representation in the field of politics particularly minimal.

Leadership positions have traditionally been dominated by men and Japan has struggled to boost the quantity of women legislators and business leaders.

The globally fourth biggest economic power ranks last among the G7 countries when it comes to the share of females in its legislative body. Specifically, females constitute about less than 16% of legislators in Japan, the smallest proportion among the seven major economies.

Progress is also sluggish when it comes to women's reproductive health: recently was it revealed that the “morning after” pill – a type of emergency contraception available without prescription in over ninety countries – had finally been approved for non-prescription sales in Japan.

Differing Responses to the Landmark Leadership

Nonetheless, certain individuals view Takaichi's ascent as a critical juncture that could alter how females view their opportunities.

“It is highly meaningful in the new prime minister assuming the role of prime minister, with a broader impact on the public,” Naomi Koshi – who became the country's youngest female city leader in 2012 – informed local media.

She contended Japan having a woman prime minister will “lower mental obstacles” for females of all ages, helping them feel it is acceptable to “excel” as leaders in companies and the community, despite gender-based stereotypes and norms still persist.

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

“She's also not really challenging the norm. She expresses the same thing as the men.”

Ms Hill-Uekawa adds that she shouldn't be put on a platform simply because she is a woman.

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

Political Background and Influences

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

It's also apparent by who her supporters within the LDP have were.

She's the protégé of the deceased former hawkish prime minister Shinzo Abe, and was backed in the party vote by a senior politician – a prominent member in the ruling party at the head 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 challenging for women to sort of relate to her success because it furthers this idea that we have to be obedient with the status quo,” young adult Minori Konishi remarks.

Ms Ogura concurs, stating that with her as a figurehead for females in government, “people are likely to anticipate the identical from us as well”.

“They're going to expect women to be conforming, not go against the beliefs that they hold, and it might make our role harder.”

Future Challenges and Anticipations

Achieving this milestone, however, was just the first of the difficulties Takaichi will face – not least addressing a sluggish economy and inflation and regaining the trust of a frustrated and irate electorate, as well as welcoming president Trump within a short time of taking power.

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