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To numerous young girls in Japan today, the sight of Sanae Takaichi assuming leadership as the nation's inaugural female leader is powerful and formative.

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

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

It was rather fascinating to see how individuals beyond Japan's borders have reacted to the news,” a 21-year-old states.

“Everyone's like, ‘wow, she's the inaugural woman prime minister in Japanese history and that would be a significant chance for women empowerment and gender equality in Japan’.

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

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

A strong admirer of Margaret Thatcher, Sanae Takaichi has always wanted to be the “Steel Magnolia” of her country.

Similar to Thatcher, Takaichi is a firm conservative.

Observers say her ascension is a strategic decision from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party to attract the more conservative base which had recently gravitated towards Japan's more extreme conservative groups.

The leader is against marriage equality and has consistently voted against legislation that would allow spouses to have different last names, blocking many women from retaining their birth surnames.

She's also opposed to females being in eligible for the throne in the royal household.

Nonetheless, she moderated some of her messaging during her election bid – stating she favours giving tax incentives to businesses that offer childcare facilities to their employees and spoke of possible tax breaks for households spending on childcare.

But she has historically backed the idea of a conventional role for women in the community and in the home.

When it comes to gender matters, Takaichi is aligned with her country's less than impressive record on gender issues.

Japan's Gender Gap in Context

Women in Japan are among the most highly educated and highest qualified in the globe and yet they struggle with the expectations of a traditional culture that still pushes them into traditional roles.

Based on the latest equality ranking by the global organization, Japan placed 118th out of among nearly 150 countries, with women's presence in the field of politics notably low.

Leadership positions have historically been held by men and Japan has faced difficulties to increase the quantity of female lawmakers and business leaders.

The globally fourth biggest economic power ranks at the bottom among the Group of Seven nations when it comes to the share of women in its national parliament. In detail, women constitute about less than 16% of legislators 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 available without prescription in more than 90 countries – had at last been authorized for over the counter use in Japan.

Differing Responses to the Historic Appointment

Even so, certain individuals view Takaichi's ascent as a pivotal moment that could alter how females view their prospects.

“There is great significance in Ms Takaichi becoming prime minister, with a wider influence on society,” a former mayor – who became the country'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, enabling them to believe it is normal to “excel” as leaders in businesses and the community, despite gender-based stereotypes and expectations still persist.

But a 20-year-old points out that, while it is remarkable Japan has its inaugural woman prime minister, it is important to recall it required her more than 30 years to reach that position.

“She's also not truly challenging the norm. She's saying the same thing as the male politicians.”

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

“We need to make sure we're talking about her policies. We must be able to criticise her equally as everyone else.”

Ideological Context and Associations

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

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

She's the protégé of the late former hawkish prime minister Shinzo Abe, and was endorsed in the leadership election by a senior politician – a senior figure in the LDP at the head of one of the government's most influential conservative blocs.

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

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

Ms Ogura agrees, stating that with her as a figurehead for women in politics, “people are going to expect the same from women as too”.

“They're going to expect us to be conforming, not oppose the beliefs that they hold, and it could render our role more difficult.”

Future Obstacles and Expectations

Achieving this milestone, however, was just the first of the challenges Takaichi will encounter – not least tackling a slow growth and inflation and winning back the trust of a frustrated and irate electorate, as in addition to hosting the US leader within a short time of assuming office.

It's safe to say that no-one expects gender equality issues to be a top priority on her agenda.