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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 impactful and formative.

This signifies a male-oriented culture and a political system that has historically been controlled by men is currently headed by a female.

However, although the appearances speak of a progressive moment, some women don't see her as an advocate for change.

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

People are saying, ‘wow, she's the first female 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 very naive interpretation.”

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

A big fan of Margaret Thatcher, Sanae Takaichi has long aspired to be the “Steel Magnolia” of her nation.

Similar to Thatcher, Takaichi is a firm conservative.

Observers say her ascension is a strategic decision from the ruling LDP to attract the more conservative supporters which had lately shifted towards Japan's parties further to the right.

The leader is against marriage equality and has consistently voted against laws that would allow married couples to have separate surnames, preventing many women from retaining their birth surnames.

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 businesses that offer daycare services to their employees and spoke of potential deductions for families investing in child-rearing.

But she has over the years supported the idea of a more traditional role for females in the community and in the home.

Regarding women's issues, Takaichi is aligned with her country's subpar performance on gender issues.

Japan's Inequality in Context

Women in Japan are some of the best educated and most skilled in the globe and yet they face challenges with the expectations of a conservative society that still pushes them into conventional positions.

Based on the latest equality ranking by the World Economic Forum, Japan placed 118th out of among nearly 150 countries, with female representation in the political arena notably low.

Top roles have traditionally been dominated by males and Japan has struggled to increase the quantity of female lawmakers and business leaders.

The globally fourth biggest economic power places last among the Group of Seven nations when it comes to the percentage of females in its national parliament. Specifically, women constitute about 15.7% 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 announced that the “emergency” pill – a form of emergency contraception sold over the counter in more than 90 countries – had finally been approved for non-prescription sales in Japan.

Differing Responses to the Landmark Leadership

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

“There is great significance in Ms Takaichi becoming prime minister, with a broader impact on society,” a former mayor – who was elected as the country's youngest female mayor in 2012 – told local media.

Koshi argued Japan electing a woman prime minister will “reduce mental obstacles” for women and girls, enabling them to believe it is normal to “excel” as leaders in businesses and the community, despite gender-based stereotypes and norms still persist.

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

“Additionally, she is not truly challenging the norm. She's saying the identical views as the men.”

The young woman further states that she ought not be placed on a platform just due to the fact she is a woman.

“We need to ensure we're discussing her agenda. We must be capable of evaluate her equally as everyone else.”

Ideological Context and Influences

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

It's also evident by which individuals her champions inside the party have been.

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

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

“I believe that it is difficult for women to somewhat identify with her success because it promotes this notion that we must be obedient with the status quo,” 21-year-old Minori Konishi says.

The 21-year-old agrees, stating that with her as a figurehead for women in politics, “the public are likely to anticipate the same from us as well”.

“They will demand women to be conforming, not oppose the beliefs that they hold, and it could render our role more difficult.”

Future Challenges and Expectations

Making history, however, was only the initial of the difficulties Takaichi will face – not least addressing a slow growth and inflation and regaining the confidence of a frustrated and angry voting public, as in addition to hosting the US leader within a short time of assuming office.

One can reasonably assume that no-one expects women's rights matters to be high on her agenda.