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To numerous young girls in Japan today, the image of Sanae Takaichi assuming leadership as the country's first ever woman prime minister is powerful and influential.

This signifies a male-oriented culture and a government structure that has long been dominated by men is now led by a female.

But while the appearances speak of a forward-thinking era, some women don't see her as an champion of progress.

It was rather fascinating to observe how individuals outside Japan have responded to the announcement,” a 21-year-old states.

People are saying, ‘wow, she's the first female 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, Ms Ogura highlights her “political beliefs and what she stands for,” adding: “She perpetuates the male-dominated structure.”

A big fan of Britain's first female prime minister, Sanae Takaichi has long aspired to be the “Steel Magnolia” of her nation.

And like Thatcher, Takaichi is a staunch right-wing politician.

Observers say her leadership is a tactical move from the ruling LDP to appeal to the more conservative supporters which had lately shifted towards Japan's more extreme conservative groups.

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

She's also 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 favours giving financial benefits to companies that offer childcare facilities to their staff and spoke of possible tax breaks for families investing in childcare.

Yet she has over the years backed the notion of a more traditional position for women in society and in the family.

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

Japan's Inequality in Context

Japanese women are among the best educated and most skilled in the world and yet they struggle with the demands of a traditional culture that still pushes them into conventional positions.

According to the latest gender gap index by the World Economic Forum, Japan placed 118th among nearly 150 nations, with female representation in the field of politics particularly minimal.

Leadership positions have historically been held by men and Japan has struggled to increase the number of female lawmakers and business leaders.

The globally fourth biggest economic power places at the bottom among the G7 countries when it comes to the share of females in its legislative body. Specifically, women make up about 15.7% of lawmakers in Japan, the lowest figure among the seven major economies.

It is even slow when it comes to women's reproductive health: only this week was it announced that the “emergency” pill – a type of emergency contraception sold over the counter in over ninety nations – had finally been approved for non-prescription sales in Japan.

Differing Responses to the Landmark Leadership

Even so, some see Takaichi's ascent as a critical juncture that could change how women view their opportunities.

“There is great significance in the new prime minister becoming prime minister, with a wider influence 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 electing a female prime minister will “lower psychological barriers” for women and girls, enabling them to believe it is acceptable to “excel” as authorities in companies and society, even as gender-based stereotypes and expectations still remain.

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

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

The young woman adds that she shouldn't be put on a pedestal just due to the fact she is a woman.

“It is essential to ensure we're talking about her policies. We need to be able to evaluate her equally as all other leaders.”

Political Context and Influences

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

Additionally, it is evident by who her supporters inside the party have were.

She's the protégé of the deceased former conservative prime minister a previous leader, and was backed in the leadership election by Taro Aso – a senior figure in the LDP at the leadership of one of the government's most influential conservative blocs.

His faction's support for Sanae Takaichi was crucial in uniting the party's right wing behind her.

“I believe that it is difficult for females to somewhat relate to her achievement because it promotes this idea that we must be obedient with the status quo,” young adult Minori Konishi remarks.

Ms Ogura concurs, saying that with her as a figurehead for women in politics, “the public are going to expect the same from women as well”.

“They will demand women to be compliant, not oppose the ideals that they have, and it could render our job more difficult.”

Future Obstacles and Expectations

Achieving this milestone, though, was only the initial of the challenges Takaichi will encounter – not least tackling a slow growth and rising prices and winning back the trust of a frustrated and irate electorate, as well as welcoming the US leader within a short time 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.