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

It means a male-oriented culture and a political system that has long been dominated 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 quite interesting to observe how people beyond Japan's borders 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 women empowerment and equal rights in Japan’.

“I think that's a very naive view.”

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

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 conservative.

Observers say her leadership is a strategic decision from the governing Liberal Democratic Party to attract the more conservative base which had recently gravitated towards Japan's parties further to the right.

The leader is against same-sex marriage and has long stood against laws that would permit spouses to have different last names, blocking many females from retaining their maiden names.

She's also against women being in line for succession in the imperial family.

Nonetheless, she did soften certain her statements during her campaign – stating she supports giving tax incentives to businesses that offer childcare facilities to their employees and mentioned potential tax breaks for families spending on childcare.

Yet she has historically supported the notion of a more traditional role for women in society and in the home.

When it comes to gender matters, Takaichi is consistent with her nation's less than impressive record on equality concerns.

Japan's Gender Gap in Context

Women in Japan are some of the best educated and highest qualified in the world and yet they struggle with the demands of a conservative society that still directs them into conventional positions.

According to the latest equality ranking by the World Economic Forum, Japan ranked 118th among 148 countries, with female representation in the political arena particularly minimal.

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

The globally fourth biggest economic power places at the bottom among the Group of Seven nations when it comes to the share of women in its legislative body. Specifically, females constitute about less than 16% of legislators in Japan, the lowest figure among the G7.

Progress is also sluggish when it comes to women's reproductive health: recently was it announced that the “morning after” pill – a type of post-coital birth control sold over the counter in more than 90 nations – had at last been authorized for non-prescription sales in Japan.

Mixed Reactions to the Landmark Appointment

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

“There is great significance in the new prime minister assuming the role of prime minister, with a wider influence on society,” Naomi Koshi – who became the nation's youngest female mayor in 2012 – informed Japan's Kyodo news agency.

She contended Japan electing a female prime minister will “lower mental obstacles” for females of all ages, helping them feel it is normal to “stand out” as leaders in companies and the community, despite gender-based stereotypes and expectations still remain.

However Audrey Hill-Uekawa points out that, while it is remarkable Japan has its first female leader, it is important to recall it took her over three decades to get to that office.

“Additionally, she is not truly challenging the grain. She's saying the identical views as the male politicians.”

Ms Hill-Uekawa further states that she shouldn't be put on a platform simply because she is a woman.

“We need to make sure we're discussing her agenda. We need to be able to evaluate her equally as all other leaders.”

Political Context and Associations

It is not just what Takaichi has stated which has caused individuals to describe her as a defender of the patriarchy.

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

She was mentored of the deceased former hawkish prime minister Shinzo Abe, and was endorsed in the leadership election by a senior politician – a senior figure in the ruling party at the head of one of the government's most powerful right-wing factions.

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

“I do feel that it is challenging for women to sort of relate to her achievement because it furthers this notion that we must be compliant with the existing system,” 21-year-old a citizen says.

Ms Ogura concurs, stating that with her as a symbol for females in government, “the public are going to expect the same from us as well”.

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

Future Challenges and Anticipations

Making history, though, was just the first of the challenges Takaichi will encounter – not least addressing a slow growth and inflation and winning back the confidence of a discontented and angry voting public, as well as welcoming president Trump within days of assuming office.

It's safe to say that no-one expects women's rights matters to be a top priority on her priority list.