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

This signifies a patriarchal society and a government structure that has historically been controlled by men is now led by a female.

However, although the appearances speak of a forward-thinking era, certain females do not view her as an champion of progress.

It was rather interesting to see how individuals outside Japan 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’.

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

Instead, Ms Ogura points to her “political beliefs and what she stands for,” adding: “She reinforces the patriarchal system.”

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

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

Analysts note her leadership is a strategic decision from the governing LDP to attract the increasingly right-leaning supporters which had lately shifted towards Japan's more extreme conservative groups.

Takaichi opposes same-sex marriage and has consistently voted against laws that would permit married couples to have different last names, blocking many females from keeping their maiden names.

She's also opposed to females being in line for succession in the royal household.

Nonetheless, she did soften some of her messaging during her election bid – stating she supports giving tax incentives to businesses that provide daycare services to their employees and mentioned possible deductions for households spending on child-rearing.

Yet she has over the years supported the notion of a more traditional role for females in society and in the family.

Regarding women's issues, Takaichi is consistent with her nation's less than impressive performance on gender issues.

Japan's Gender Gap in Context

Women in Japan are some of the best educated and highest qualified in the world and yet they face challenges with the demands of a traditional culture that still directs them into traditional roles.

According to the latest gender gap index by the World Economic Forum, Japan placed 118th among nearly 150 countries, with women's presence in the field of politics notably low.

Top roles have traditionally been dominated by men and Japan has faced difficulties to increase the quantity of female lawmakers and corporate executives.

The globally fourth biggest economy places at the bottom among the Group of Seven nations when it comes to the share of women in its national parliament. Specifically, females make up about 15.7% of lawmakers in Japan, the smallest proportion among the seven major economies.

It is even slow when it comes to women's reproductive health: only this week was it revealed that the “morning after” pill – a type of emergency contraception sold over the counter in more than 90 nations – had finally been approved for over the counter use in Japan.

Differing Reactions to the Historic Leadership

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

“It is highly meaningful in Ms Takaichi assuming the role of prime minister, with a broader impact on society,” a former mayor – who was elected as the country's most youthful woman city leader in 2012 – informed Japan's Kyodo news agency.

She contended Japan having a woman prime minister will “reduce psychological barriers” for females of all ages, helping them feel it is normal to “stand out” as authorities in businesses and the community, despite gender-based stereotypes and expectations still remain.

But Audrey Hill-Uekawa notes that, while it is notable Japan has its first female leader, it is important to recall it required her more than 30 years to reach that position.

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

The young woman adds that she shouldn't be put on a pedestal just due to the fact she is a female.

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

Ideological Context and Associations

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

It's also evident by who her supporters inside the party 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 leadership of one of the ruling party's most influential right-wing factions.

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

“I do feel that it is challenging for women to sort of relate to her success because it furthers this notion that we must be obedient with the status quo,” young adult a citizen says.

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

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

Future Challenges and Expectations

Making history, however, was just the first of the challenges Takaichi will face – including tackling a sluggish economy and inflation and regaining the trust of a discontented and angry voting public, as well as welcoming president Trump within days of taking power.

One can reasonably assume that few anticipate gender equality issues to be high on her priority list.