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For many young girls in Japan currently, the image of Sanae Takaichi assuming leadership as the country's first ever woman leader is powerful and influential.

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 optics suggest a forward-thinking era, certain females do not view her as an advocate for change.

“It was quite interesting to see how people outside Japan have reacted to the announcement,” Ayda Ogura says.

“Everyone's like, ‘wow, she's the first female prime minister in Japanese history and that would be a great opportunity for female advancement and gender equality in Japan’.

“I think that's a very naive view.”

Instead, the young woman highlights her “political beliefs and what she represents,” noting: “She reinforces the male-dominated structure.”

A strong admirer of Britain's first female prime minister, Sanae Takaichi has always wanted to be the “Iron Lady” of her country.

And like Thatcher, Takaichi is a staunch conservative.

Analysts note her ascension is a strategic decision from the governing Liberal Democratic Party to appeal to the more conservative base which had recently gravitated towards Japan's more extreme conservative groups.

The leader is against same-sex marriage and has consistently voted against legislation that would allow married couples 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 imperial family.

Nonetheless, she did soften some of her messaging during her campaign – stating she favours giving tax incentives to companies that offer childcare facilities to their employees and spoke of potential deductions for families spending on childcare.

Yet she has historically backed the notion of a more traditional position for women in the community and in the family.

Regarding women's issues, Takaichi is aligned with her nation's less than impressive record on gender issues.

The Country's Inequality in Context

Women in Japan are some of the best educated and most skilled in the globe and yet they face challenges with the expectations of a conservative society that still directs them into conventional positions.

According to the latest equality ranking by the World Economic Forum, Japan placed 118th among nearly 150 nations, with women's presence in the political arena particularly minimal.

Top roles have historically been held by men and Japan has struggled to boost the quantity of women legislators and corporate executives.

The world's fourth largest economic power ranks last among the Group of Seven nations when it comes to the percentage of women in its legislative body. In detail, females make up about 15.7% of legislators in Japan, the smallest proportion among the G7.

It is even slow when it comes to women's reproductive health: only this week was it announced that the “morning after” pill – a type of post-coital birth control available without prescription in more than 90 countries – had finally been approved for over the counter use in Japan.

Mixed Reactions to the Historic Appointment

Even so, some see Takaichi's rise to power as a critical juncture that could alter how women perceive their opportunities.

“It is highly meaningful in the new prime minister assuming the role of prime minister, with a broader impact on the public,” a former mayor – who became the nation's most youthful woman city leader in 2012 – informed local media.

She contended Japan having a woman prime minister will “lower mental obstacles” for females of all ages, helping them feel it is normal to “excel” as leaders in companies and the community, even as gender-based stereotypes and expectations still persist.

However Audrey Hill-Uekawa points out that, while it is remarkable Japan has its inaugural woman leader, one must remember it took her over three decades to reach that office.

“Additionally, she is not really going against the grain. She expresses the same thing as the men.”

Ms Hill-Uekawa adds that she ought not be placed on a pedestal simply because she is a woman.

“It is essential to make sure we're talking about her policies. We need to be capable of evaluate her fairly as everyone else.”

Political Context and Influences

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

It's also apparent by which individuals her champions within the LDP have been.

She's the protégé of the late former hawkish prime minister a previous leader, and was backed 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 support for Sanae Takaichi was pivotal in uniting the conservative wing behind her.

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

Ms Ogura concurs, saying that with her as a figurehead for females in government, “people are likely to anticipate the same from us as well”.

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

Upcoming Obstacles and Anticipations

Making history, though, was only the initial of the challenges Takaichi will face – not least tackling a slow growth and rising prices and winning back the trust of a discontented and irate electorate, as well as hosting the US leader within a short time of assuming office.

It's safe to say that few anticipate gender equality issues to be high on her agenda.