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To numerous young girls in Japan currently, the sight of Sanae Takaichi taking the helm as the nation's first ever female leader is impactful and influential.

It means a male-oriented culture 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, some women don't see her as an champion of progress.

It was rather interesting to see how people outside Japan have reacted to the news,” a 21-year-old says.

People are saying, ‘wow, she's the inaugural woman prime minister in the nation's past and that would be a significant chance for female advancement and equal rights in Japan’.

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

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

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

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

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

The leader is against same-sex marriage and has long stood against laws that would allow spouses to have separate surnames, preventing many females from keeping their birth surnames.

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

Nonetheless, she moderated certain her messaging during her election bid – saying she supports giving financial benefits to companies that provide childcare facilities to their staff and spoke of potential deductions for families investing in childcare.

Yet she has historically backed the idea of a more traditional role for females in society and in the home.

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

Japan's Inequality in Context

Japanese women are some of the most highly educated and most skilled 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 female representation in the political arena notably low.

Top roles have historically been held by males and Japan has faced difficulties to boost the number of women legislators and business leaders.

The world's fourth largest economy places last among the Group of Seven nations when it comes to the percentage of women in its legislative body. In detail, females make up about 15.7% of legislators in Japan, the lowest figure among the seven major economies.

It is even slow when it comes to female healthcare: recently was it revealed that the “morning after” pill – a form of post-coital birth control sold over the counter in over ninety nations – had at last been authorized for over the counter use in Japan.

Mixed Responses to the Landmark Appointment

Even so, some see Takaichi's ascent as a critical juncture that could alter how females view their prospects.

“There is great significance in Ms Takaichi assuming the role of prime minister, with a broader impact on the public,” Naomi Koshi – who was elected as the nation's youngest female mayor in 2012 – informed Japan's Kyodo news agency.

She contended Japan electing a woman prime minister will “reduce psychological barriers” for females of all ages, enabling them to believe it is acceptable to “stand out” as leaders in companies and the community, despite biased expectations and expectations still persist.

However Audrey Hill-Uekawa 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 position.

“She's also not really going against the grain. She's saying the same thing as the men.”

The young woman adds that she ought not be placed on a platform simply because she is a female.

“We need to make sure we're talking about her policies. We must be capable of evaluate her fairly as all other leaders.”

Ideological Context and Associations

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

It's also apparent by which individuals her supporters within the LDP have been.

She's the protégé of the late ex- hawkish prime minister Shinzo Abe, and was endorsed in the leadership election by Taro Aso – a senior figure in the ruling party at the leadership of one of the government's most powerful conservative blocs.

Their group's backing for Sanae Takaichi was pivotal in uniting the party's right wing in her favor.

“I believe that it is difficult for females to somewhat identify with her achievement because it promotes this notion that we have to be obedient with the status quo,” 21-year-old a citizen remarks.

Ms Ogura agrees, stating that with her as a symbol for women in politics, “the public are likely to anticipate the identical from us as too”.

“They will demand us to be compliant, not oppose the beliefs that they hold, and it might make our role harder.”

Upcoming Obstacles and Anticipations

Achieving this milestone, however, was just the first of the challenges Takaichi will face – including addressing a sluggish economy and rising prices and winning back the confidence of a discontented and angry electorate, as in addition to welcoming the US leader within days of taking power.

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