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For many young girls in Japan today, the image of Sanae Takaichi assuming leadership as the nation's inaugural female leader is impactful and influential.

It means a patriarchal society and a political system that has historically been controlled by men is now led by a woman.

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

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

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

In my opinion that's a rather simplistic interpretation.”

Instead, Ms Ogura points to her “political beliefs and what she represents,” adding: “She reinforces the male-dominated structure.”

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

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

Observers say her ascension is a tactical move from the governing Liberal Democratic Party to attract the increasingly right-leaning supporters which had recently gravitated towards Japan's parties further to the right.

The leader is against marriage equality and has consistently voted against legislation that would permit spouses to have separate surnames, blocking many females from keeping their birth surnames.

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

However, she did soften some of her statements during her campaign – saying she supports giving tax incentives to companies that offer daycare services to their staff and mentioned potential tax breaks for families investing in child-rearing.

Yet she has over the years supported the notion of a more traditional position for women in the community and in the family.

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

Japan's Gender Gap in Context

Women in Japan are some of the most highly educated and most skilled in the world and yet they face challenges with the expectations of a traditional culture that still directs them into conventional positions.

Based on the latest gender gap index by the World Economic Forum, Japan placed 118th out of among 148 countries, with female representation in the political arena notably low.

Leadership positions have historically been held by males 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 G7 countries when it comes to the share of females in its national parliament. Specifically, females constitute about 15.7% of lawmakers 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 “morning after” pill – a form of emergency contraception sold over the counter in more than 90 nations – had at last been authorized for non-prescription sales in Japan.

Mixed Reactions to the Historic Appointment

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

“It is highly meaningful in the new prime minister assuming the role of prime minister, with a wider influence on the public,” a former mayor – who was elected as the country's youngest female mayor in 2012 – informed local media.

Koshi argued Japan having a woman prime minister will “lower mental obstacles” for women and girls, helping them feel it is normal to “excel” as authorities in businesses and the community, despite biased expectations and norms still persist.

But a 20-year-old points out that, while it is remarkable Japan has its first female prime minister, one must remember it required her over three decades to get to that office.

“She's also not really going against the grain. She expresses the identical views as the men.”

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

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

Political Context and Influences

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

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

She's the protégé of the deceased ex- hawkish prime minister a previous leader, and was endorsed in the party vote by Taro Aso – a prominent member in the LDP at the leadership of one of the government's most influential conservative blocs.

His faction's support for Sanae Takaichi was crucial in consolidating the conservative wing in her favor.

“I do feel that it is challenging for females to sort of relate to her success because it promotes this idea that we have to be obedient with the existing system,” 21-year-old Minori Konishi remarks.

Ms Ogura agrees, saying that with her as a figurehead for females in politics, “the public are going to expect the identical from us as too”.

“They're going to expect us to be conforming, not oppose the ideals that they hold, and it might make our job harder.”

Future Challenges and Expectations

Achieving this milestone, though, was only the initial of the difficulties Takaichi will encounter – including tackling a sluggish economy and rising prices and regaining the trust of a frustrated and irate electorate, as well as welcoming the US leader within a short time of assuming office.

One can reasonably assume that no-one expects women's rights matters to be a top priority on her priority list.