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To numerous young girls in Japan today, the sight of Sanae Takaichi assuming leadership as the country's inaugural woman prime minister is powerful and formative.

It means a patriarchal society and a political system that has long been dominated by men is currently headed by a female.

However, although the appearances suggest a forward-thinking era, certain females don't see her as an advocate for change.

“It was quite fascinating to see how individuals beyond Japan's borders have responded to the announcement,” a 21-year-old states.

“Everyone's like, ‘wow, she's the first female prime minister in the nation's past and that would be a great opportunity for female advancement and equal rights in Japan’.

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

Conversely, Ms Ogura points to her “ideological stance and what she represents,” adding: “She perpetuates the patriarchal system.”

A big fan of Margaret Thatcher, Sanae Takaichi has always wanted to be the “Steel Magnolia” of her country.

Similar to Thatcher, Takaichi is a staunch conservative.

Observers say her leadership is a strategic decision from the governing Liberal Democratic Party to attract the more conservative base which had lately shifted towards Japan's more extreme conservative groups.

The leader is against same-sex marriage and has consistently voted against laws that would permit spouses to have different last names, blocking many women from retaining their maiden names.

Additionally, she is against females being in line for succession in the imperial family.

However, she moderated certain her messaging during her campaign – saying she supports giving financial benefits to companies that offer childcare facilities to their staff and spoke of possible deductions for households spending on childcare.

Yet she has historically supported the notion of a more traditional position for women in the community and in the home.

When it comes to women's issues, Takaichi is aligned with her nation's subpar performance on gender issues.

The Country's Inequality in Perspective

Women in Japan are among the most highly educated and highest qualified in the world 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 World Economic Forum, Japan placed 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 faced difficulties to boost the number of female lawmakers and business leaders.

The globally fourth biggest economy places at the bottom among the Group of Seven nations when it comes to the percentage of women in its national parliament. In detail, women make up about 15.7% 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 type of post-coital birth control sold over the counter in more than 90 countries – had finally been approved for non-prescription sales in Japan.

Differing Responses to the Historic Leadership

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

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

Koshi argued Japan electing a female prime minister will “lower psychological barriers” for women and girls, helping them feel it is acceptable to “excel” as leaders in companies and society, despite gender-based stereotypes and expectations still persist.

But a 20-year-old points out that, while it is notable Japan has its inaugural woman prime minister, one must remember it required her over three decades to reach that office.

“She's also not really challenging the grain. She expresses the identical views as the male politicians.”

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

“We need to make sure we're discussing her agenda. We must be able to evaluate her fairly as everyone else.”

Political Background and Influences

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

Additionally, it is evident by which individuals her champions within the LDP have been.

She was mentored of the late 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 leadership of one of the government's most influential right-wing factions.

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

“I believe that it is challenging for women to sort of relate to her success because it furthers this notion that we must be compliant with the status quo,” young adult Minori Konishi says.

The 21-year-old concurs, stating that with her as a symbol for women in government, “people are going to expect the same from us as well”.

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

Upcoming Challenges and Expectations

Achieving this milestone, though, was just the first of the challenges Takaichi will face – not least tackling a slow growth and inflation and regaining the trust of a discontented and angry electorate, as well as welcoming president Trump within days of taking power.

One can reasonably assume that few anticipate women's rights matters to be a top priority on her priority list.