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To numerous female youth in Japan today, the image of Sanae Takaichi taking the helm as the nation's inaugural female leader is powerful and influential.

It means a patriarchal society and a political system that has historically been controlled by men is currently headed by a woman.

But while the optics suggest a progressive moment, certain females do not view her as an advocate for change.

“It was quite fascinating to see how individuals beyond Japan's borders have reacted to the announcement,” a 21-year-old 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’.

“I think that's a very naive view.”

Conversely, Ms Ogura points to her “ideological stance and what she stands for,” adding: “She reinforces the male-dominated structure.”

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

Similar to Thatcher, Takaichi is a firm right-wing politician.

Analysts note her ascension is a tactical move from the governing LDP to attract the more conservative base which had lately shifted towards Japan's parties further to the right.

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

She's also against women being in eligible for the throne in the imperial family.

Nonetheless, she did soften some of her messaging during her election bid – stating she supports giving financial benefits to businesses that provide childcare facilities to their staff and spoke of possible tax breaks for households investing in child-rearing.

Yet she has historically backed the notion of a conventional role for females in the community and in the home.

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

The Country's Inequality in Context

Japanese women are some of the most highly educated and most skilled in the globe and yet they face challenges with the expectations of a traditional culture that still pushes them into conventional positions.

Based on the latest gender gap index by the World Economic Forum, Japan placed 118th among nearly 150 countries, with women's presence in the political arena notably low.

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

The world's fourth largest economy places at the bottom among the Group of Seven nations when it comes to the percentage of females in its national parliament. Specifically, females make up about less than 16% of lawmakers in Japan, the lowest figure among the G7.

It is even slow when it comes to female healthcare: only this week was it revealed that the “morning after” pill – a form of post-coital birth control available without prescription in over ninety nations – had finally been approved for non-prescription sales in Japan.

Differing Reactions to the Landmark Leadership

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

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

She contended Japan electing a woman prime minister will “reduce mental obstacles” for women and girls, enabling them to believe it is acceptable to “excel” as leaders in companies and the community, even as gender-based stereotypes and norms still persist.

However Audrey Hill-Uekawa points out that, while it is remarkable Japan has its inaugural woman prime minister, it is important to recall it required her more than 30 years to get to that office.

“She's also not truly going against the grain. She expresses the same thing as the men.”

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

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

Ideological Background 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.

It's also evident by who her champions within the LDP have were.

She's the protégé of the deceased former hawkish prime minister a previous leader, and was backed in the party vote by Taro Aso – a prominent member in the ruling party at the leadership of one of the government's most powerful right-wing factions.

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

“I do feel that it is challenging for females to sort of identify with her achievement because it promotes this idea that we must be obedient with the status quo,” young adult a citizen remarks.

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

“They will demand us to be conforming, not go against the ideals that they have, and it might make our role harder.”

Upcoming Challenges and Anticipations

Achieving this milestone, however, was just the first of the challenges Takaichi will face – not least tackling a slow growth and rising prices and winning back the confidence of a discontented and irate voting public, as well as hosting the US leader within a short time of assuming office.

One can reasonably assume that few anticipate gender equality issues to be high on her agenda.