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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 powerful and influential.

It means a patriarchal society and a government structure that has historically been controlled by men is now led by a woman.

However, although the appearances speak of a progressive moment, some women do not view her as an advocate for change.

“It was quite interesting to observe how people beyond Japan's borders have responded to the news,” Ayda Ogura states.

People are saying, ‘wow, she's the inaugural woman prime minister in Japanese history and that would be a great opportunity for female advancement and equal rights in Japan’.

In my opinion that's a very naive view.”

Instead, the young woman points to her “ideological stance and what she represents,” noting: “She reinforces the patriarchal system.”

A big fan 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 leadership is a tactical move from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party to attract the more conservative supporters which had lately shifted towards Japan's more extreme conservative groups.

The leader is against same-sex marriage and has long stood against laws that would permit married couples to have separate surnames, preventing many women from retaining their maiden names.

Additionally, she is opposed to 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 offer childcare facilities to their employees and spoke of possible deductions for families investing in childcare.

But she has over the years supported the notion of a conventional role for females in society and in the home.

Regarding women's issues, Takaichi is consistent with her nation's less than impressive performance on equality concerns.

The Country's Inequality in Perspective

Japanese women are among the best educated and most skilled in the world and yet they face challenges with the expectations 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 148 nations, with women's presence in the political arena particularly minimal.

Leadership positions have traditionally been dominated by men and Japan has faced difficulties to increase the number of women legislators and corporate executives.

The world's fourth largest economy places at the bottom among the G7 countries when it comes to the share of females in its legislative body. Specifically, women constitute about 15.7% of legislators in Japan, the smallest proportion among the G7.

It is even slow when it comes to female healthcare: recently was it revealed that the “morning after” pill – a form of post-coital birth control available without prescription in more than 90 nations – had at last been authorized for over the counter use in Japan.

Mixed Responses to the Historic Leadership

Nonetheless, certain individuals view Takaichi's ascent as a critical juncture that could change how women perceive their opportunities.

“There is great significance in the new prime minister assuming the role of prime minister, with a broader impact on the public,” Naomi Koshi – who was elected as the nation's youngest female mayor in 2012 – told Japan's Kyodo news agency.

Koshi argued Japan having a woman prime minister will “reduce mental obstacles” for women and girls, helping them feel it is acceptable to “excel” as authorities in businesses and the community, even as biased expectations and norms still remain.

However Audrey Hill-Uekawa notes that, while it is notable Japan has its first female leader, one must remember it required her more than 30 years to get to that office.

“She's also not truly challenging the norm. She expresses the identical views as the male politicians.”

Ms Hill-Uekawa adds that she shouldn't be put on a platform simply because she is a female.

“We need to make sure we're discussing her agenda. We need to be able to criticise her fairly as everyone else.”

Ideological Background and Associations

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

It's also evident by which individuals her supporters inside the party have been.

She's the protégé of the late former conservative 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 ruling party's most powerful conservative blocs.

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

“I do feel that it is challenging for women to somewhat identify with her achievement because it promotes this notion that we have to be obedient with the status quo,” young adult a citizen remarks.

Ms Ogura concurs, saying that with her as a symbol for women in government, “the public are likely to anticipate the same from women as well”.

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

Future Obstacles and Anticipations

Achieving this milestone, however, was just the first of the challenges Takaichi will encounter – including tackling a sluggish economy and inflation and winning back the confidence of a discontented and angry electorate, as in addition to welcoming president Trump within days of taking power.

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