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For many young girls in Japan today, the sight of Sanae Takaichi taking the helm as the nation's first ever woman prime minister is impactful and formative.

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

But while the appearances suggest a progressive moment, certain females don't see her as an champion of progress.

“It was quite interesting to observe how individuals beyond Japan's borders have reacted to the news,” Ayda Ogura says.

“Everyone's like, ‘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 very naive view.”

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

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 staunch conservative.

Observers say her ascension is a strategic decision from the governing Liberal Democratic Party to appeal to the increasingly right-leaning supporters which had recently gravitated towards Japan's more extreme conservative groups.

Takaichi opposes marriage equality and has long stood against legislation that would permit married couples to have separate surnames, preventing many women from retaining their maiden names.

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

Nonetheless, she moderated some of her messaging during her election bid – stating she supports giving financial benefits to businesses that provide daycare services to their employees and spoke of potential deductions for families investing in child-rearing.

But she has historically supported the notion of a more traditional position for females in society and in the family.

When it comes to women's issues, Takaichi is aligned with her country's less than impressive performance on equality concerns.

The Country's Inequality in Context

Japanese women are among the most highly educated and highest qualified in the globe and yet they struggle with the demands of a conservative society that still directs them into conventional positions.

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

Top roles have traditionally been dominated by men and Japan has struggled to boost the number of female lawmakers and corporate executives.

The globally fourth biggest economic power ranks last among the Group of Seven nations when it comes to the percentage of women in its national parliament. Specifically, females constitute about 15.7% of legislators in Japan, the smallest proportion among the seven major economies.

It is even slow when it comes to women's reproductive health: recently was it announced that the “emergency” pill – a form of post-coital birth control available without prescription in over ninety countries – had at last been authorized for over the counter use in Japan.

Mixed Reactions to the Landmark Appointment

Nonetheless, some see Takaichi's rise to power as a critical juncture that could alter how females view their prospects.

“It is highly meaningful in the new prime minister assuming the role of prime minister, with a wider influence on society,” Naomi Koshi – who was elected as the country's most youthful woman mayor in 2012 – told local media.

Koshi argued Japan electing a female prime minister will “lower psychological barriers” for women and girls, helping them feel it is acceptable to “excel” as leaders in businesses and the community, despite biased expectations and norms still persist.

However Audrey Hill-Uekawa points out that, while it is notable Japan has its inaugural woman leader, one must remember it took her more than 30 years to get to that office.

“Additionally, she is not really going against the norm. She's saying the same thing as the men.”

The young woman adds that she ought not be placed on a pedestal simply because she is a woman.

“We need to ensure we're talking about her agenda. We need to be capable of criticise her fairly as all other leaders.”

Ideological Context and Associations

It is not just what Takaichi has stated which has caused individuals to describe her as a supporter of the male-dominated system.

Additionally, it is apparent by which individuals her champions inside the party have were.

She's the protégé of the late former conservative prime minister Shinzo Abe, and was backed in the party vote by Taro Aso – a senior figure in the ruling party at the leadership of one of the ruling party's most powerful right-wing factions.

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

“I do feel that it is challenging for women to somewhat relate to her success because it furthers this idea that we must be compliant with the existing system,” 21-year-old a citizen remarks.

The 21-year-old concurs, saying that with her as a symbol for females in politics, “the public are going to expect the same from women as too”.

“They're going to expect women to be compliant, not oppose the beliefs that they have, and it could render our job more difficult.”

Upcoming Obstacles and Expectations

Achieving this milestone, however, was just the first of the difficulties Takaichi will encounter – not least addressing a sluggish economy and rising prices and regaining the trust of a discontented and angry voting public, as well as welcoming the US leader within days of assuming office.

It's safe to say that few anticipate women's rights matters to be high on her agenda.