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To numerous young girls in Japan currently, the image of Sanae Takaichi taking the helm as the country's inaugural female leader is powerful and influential.

It means a male-oriented culture and a government structure that has long been dominated by men is currently headed by a female.

But while the appearances suggest a forward-thinking era, some women don't see her as an champion of progress.

“It was quite fascinating to observe how people outside Japan have responded to the news,” Ayda Ogura 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 women empowerment and equal rights in Japan’.

In my opinion that's a very naive interpretation.”

Conversely, the young woman highlights her “ideological stance and what she represents,” adding: “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.

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

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

The leader is against marriage equality and has long stood against legislation that would allow spouses to have separate surnames, preventing many women from retaining their birth surnames.

Additionally, she is opposed to women being in eligible for the throne in the imperial family.

Nonetheless, she moderated some of her statements during her election bid – stating she supports giving tax incentives to companies that offer childcare facilities to their staff and spoke of possible tax breaks for families spending on childcare.

Yet she has over the years backed the idea of a conventional role for women in the community and in the home.

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

Japan's Gender Gap in Perspective

Women in Japan are among the most highly educated and most skilled 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 ranked 118th among 148 countries, with female representation in the political arena notably low.

Leadership positions have traditionally been dominated by men and Japan has struggled to boost the quantity of female lawmakers and business leaders.

The world's fourth largest economic power ranks at the bottom among the G7 countries when it comes to the percentage of women in its legislative body. In detail, women make up about 15.7% of legislators in Japan, the lowest figure among the G7.

It is even slow when it comes to female healthcare: recently was it revealed that the “emergency” pill – a form of post-coital birth control available without prescription in over ninety nations – had at last been authorized for non-prescription sales in Japan.

Differing Reactions to the Historic Leadership

Even so, some see Takaichi's rise to power as a pivotal moment that could change how females view their prospects.

“It is highly meaningful in Ms Takaichi becoming prime minister, with a wider influence on the public,” Naomi Koshi – who became the country's youngest female mayor in 2012 – informed local media.

She contended Japan electing a female prime minister will “reduce psychological barriers” for females of all ages, helping them feel it is normal to “stand out” as leaders in businesses and the community, despite biased expectations and expectations still remain.

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

“She's also not truly going against the grain. She expresses the same thing as the male politicians.”

The young woman adds that she shouldn't be put on a pedestal simply because she is a female.

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

Political Background and Influences

It is not only what Takaichi has said which has led people to label her as a defender of the male-dominated system.

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

She was mentored of the deceased ex- conservative prime minister a previous leader, and was backed in the party vote by a senior politician – a senior figure in the ruling party at the leadership of one of the government's most powerful conservative blocs.

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

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

Ms Ogura concurs, saying that with her as a figurehead for females in politics, “people are going to expect the same from women as well”.

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

Upcoming Challenges and Expectations

Making history, however, was only the initial of the difficulties Takaichi will face – including addressing a sluggish economy and rising prices and winning back the confidence of a discontented and angry electorate, as well as hosting the US leader within a short time of assuming office.

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