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To numerous young girls in Japan currently, the sight of Sanae Takaichi taking the helm as the country's first ever female prime minister is impactful and influential.

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

However, although the appearances speak of a forward-thinking era, certain females don't see her as an advocate for change.

It was rather interesting to see how people outside Japan have reacted to the announcement,” a 21-year-old says.

People are saying, ‘wow, she's the first female 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 very naive view.”

Conversely, the young woman highlights her “ideological stance and what she stands for,” adding: “She reinforces the male-dominated structure.”

A big fan of Margaret Thatcher, Sanae Takaichi has long aspired to be the “Steel Magnolia” of her country.

Similar to Thatcher, Takaichi is a firm conservative.

Analysts note her ascension is a tactical move 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 marriage equality and has long stood against legislation that would allow spouses to have separate surnames, preventing many women from retaining their maiden names.

Additionally, she is opposed to females being in eligible for the throne in the royal household.

However, she did soften some of her statements during her campaign – saying she supports giving financial benefits to companies that offer childcare facilities to their staff and mentioned possible tax breaks for households investing in child-rearing.

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

Regarding gender matters, Takaichi is aligned with her country's subpar performance on gender issues.

The Country's Inequality in Perspective

Japanese women are among the most highly educated and highest qualified in the world and yet they struggle with the expectations of a conservative society that still pushes them into traditional roles.

According to the latest gender gap index by the global organization, Japan placed 118th among nearly 150 nations, with women's presence in the political arena particularly minimal.

Top roles have traditionally been dominated by men and Japan has faced difficulties to boost the quantity of women legislators and business leaders.

The world's fourth largest economy ranks at the bottom among the Group of Seven nations when it comes to the percentage of women in its legislative body. In detail, women constitute about 15.7% of legislators in Japan, the smallest proportion among the seven major economies.

Progress is also sluggish when it comes to female healthcare: only this week was it announced that the “emergency” 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.

Mixed Responses to the Historic Appointment

Nonetheless, some see Takaichi's ascent as a pivotal moment that could change how women perceive their opportunities.

“It is highly meaningful in Ms Takaichi assuming the role of prime minister, with a broader impact on the public,” a former mayor – who became the nation's youngest female city leader in 2012 – told Japan's Kyodo news agency.

She contended Japan having a female 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, even as gender-based stereotypes and norms still remain.

However a 20-year-old notes that, while it is notable Japan has its first female prime minister, it is important to recall it took her more than 30 years to reach that office.

“She's also not truly challenging the norm. She's saying the identical views as the men.”

The young woman further states that she ought not be placed on a pedestal just due to the fact she is a female.

“It is essential to make sure we're discussing her policies. We need to be able to criticise her equally as all other leaders.”

Political Background and Associations

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

It's also apparent by which individuals her champions inside the party have were.

She was mentored of the deceased ex- conservative prime minister Shinzo Abe, and was backed in the party vote by Taro Aso – a prominent member in the ruling party at the head of one of the ruling party's most influential conservative blocs.

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

“I do feel that it is challenging for females to sort of relate to her achievement because it promotes this idea that we must be obedient with the status quo,” 21-year-old Minori Konishi says.

The 21-year-old concurs, saying that with her as a figurehead for women in government, “the public are likely to anticipate the same from us as well”.

“They will demand women to be conforming, not oppose the beliefs that they hold, and it could render our job harder.”

Future Challenges and Expectations

Achieving this milestone, though, was just the first of the challenges Takaichi will encounter – not least tackling a slow growth and rising prices and regaining the trust of a frustrated and irate electorate, as well as welcoming president Trump within a short time of assuming office.

One can reasonably assume that no-one expects women's rights matters to be high on her agenda.