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For many young girls in Japan currently, the sight of Sanae Takaichi taking the helm as the country's inaugural woman prime minister is powerful and formative.

It means a patriarchal society and a political system that has long been dominated by men is now led by a female.

However, although the optics speak of a forward-thinking era, certain females don't see her as an champion of progress.

It was rather interesting to observe how people beyond Japan's borders have responded to the news,” Ayda Ogura says.

People are saying, ‘wow, she's the inaugural woman prime minister in Japanese history and that would be a great opportunity for women empowerment and gender equality in Japan’.

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

Conversely, the young woman highlights her “political beliefs and what she stands for,” noting: “She reinforces the patriarchal system.”

A strong admirer 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.

Analysts note her ascension is a strategic decision from the governing LDP to attract the increasingly right-leaning base which had recently gravitated towards Japan's more extreme conservative groups.

Takaichi opposes same-sex marriage and has long stood against laws that would permit spouses to have different last names, preventing many women from retaining their maiden names.

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

Nonetheless, she did soften certain her messaging during her campaign – saying she favours giving tax incentives to companies that offer childcare facilities to their employees and mentioned possible tax breaks for households spending on child-rearing.

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

When it comes to women's issues, Takaichi is consistent with her nation's less than impressive performance on gender issues.

The Country's Inequality in Context

Japanese women are among the most highly educated and most skilled in the world and yet they struggle with the demands of a traditional culture that still pushes them into traditional roles.

According to the latest equality ranking by the global organization, Japan ranked 118th out of among nearly 150 nations, with female representation in the field of politics particularly minimal.

Leadership positions have historically been held by men and Japan has faced difficulties to boost the quantity of female lawmakers and corporate executives.

The world's fourth largest economic power ranks at the bottom among the G7 countries when it comes to the percentage of females in its national parliament. In detail, women make up about less than 16% of legislators in Japan, the lowest figure among the G7.

Progress is also sluggish when it comes to female healthcare: only this week was it announced that the “morning after” pill – a type of post-coital birth control available without prescription in over ninety nations – had finally been approved for over the counter use 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 women view their opportunities.

“It is highly meaningful in the new prime minister assuming the role of prime minister, with a broader impact on society,” Naomi Koshi – who became the nation's most youthful woman mayor in 2012 – informed Japan's Kyodo news agency.

She contended Japan electing a woman prime minister will “lower mental obstacles” for women and girls, helping them feel it is acceptable 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 leader, one must remember it required her more than 30 years to reach that position.

“She's also not truly challenging the grain. She's saying the same thing as the men.”

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

“It is essential to make sure we're discussing her policies. We must be capable of criticise her equally as everyone else.”

Political Context and Influences

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

Additionally, it is evident by who her supporters inside the party have were.

She's the protégé of the deceased ex- conservative prime minister Shinzo Abe, and was backed in the leadership election by Taro Aso – a senior figure in the LDP at the head of one of the ruling party's most influential right-wing factions.

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

“I believe that it is difficult for females to sort of identify with her achievement because it promotes this idea that we have to be obedient with the existing system,” 21-year-old Minori Konishi remarks.

The 21-year-old agrees, stating that with her as a symbol for women in government, “people are going to expect the identical from us as too”.

“They will demand women to be conforming, not oppose the ideals that they have, and it could render our job more difficult.”

Upcoming Challenges and Expectations

Achieving this milestone, however, was just the first of the difficulties Takaichi will face – including addressing a sluggish economy and rising prices and regaining the confidence of a frustrated and irate electorate, as in addition to welcoming 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 agenda.