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For many female youth in Japan today, the sight of Sanae Takaichi taking the helm as the nation's inaugural woman prime minister is powerful and formative.

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

However, although the appearances speak of a progressive moment, certain females don't see her as an advocate for change.

“It was quite interesting to observe how individuals outside Japan have responded to the announcement,” Ayda Ogura says.

People are saying, ‘wow, she's the inaugural woman prime minister in Japanese history and that would be a great opportunity for women empowerment and gender equality in Japan’.

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

Conversely, the young woman highlights her “political beliefs and what she stands for,” adding: “She reinforces the patriarchal system.”

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

And like Thatcher, Takaichi is a staunch conservative.

Observers say her leadership is a tactical move from the governing LDP to attract the increasingly right-leaning supporters which had lately shifted towards Japan's parties further to the right.

The leader is against same-sex marriage and has consistently voted against legislation that would allow spouses to have separate surnames, preventing many females from retaining their maiden names.

She's also against women being in eligible for the throne in the royal household.

Nonetheless, she moderated some of her messaging during her election bid – saying she favours giving financial benefits to businesses that offer daycare services to their employees and mentioned potential deductions for households spending on child-rearing.

But she has over the years supported the notion of a more traditional role for women in society and in the home.

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

The Country's Gender Gap in Context

Japanese women are among the most highly educated and most skilled in the globe and yet they struggle with the demands of a conservative society that still directs them into traditional roles.

Based on the latest gender gap index by the global organization, Japan ranked 118th among nearly 150 countries, with women's presence in the field of politics notably low.

Leadership positions have traditionally been dominated by males and Japan has struggled to boost the number of women legislators and business leaders.

The world's fourth largest economic power places last among the G7 countries when it comes to the percentage of women in its legislative body. In detail, women constitute about 15.7% of lawmakers 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 form of emergency contraception sold over the counter in more than 90 countries – had at last been authorized for over the counter use in Japan.

Mixed Responses to the Historic Leadership

Even so, certain individuals view Takaichi's ascent as a pivotal moment that could alter how women view their prospects.

“There is great significance in the new prime minister becoming prime minister, with a wider influence on society,” a former mayor – who became the nation's youngest female city leader in 2012 – told Japan's Kyodo news agency.

Koshi argued Japan electing 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 society, even as gender-based stereotypes and expectations still persist.

But Audrey Hill-Uekawa points out that, while it is remarkable Japan has its first female prime minister, one must remember it took her over three decades to get to that position.

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

Ms Hill-Uekawa 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 capable of criticise her equally as everyone else.”

Political 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.

Additionally, it is apparent by who her champions within the LDP have were.

She was mentored of the late ex- hawkish prime minister a previous leader, and was backed in the leadership election by Taro Aso – a senior figure in the ruling party at the leadership of one of the ruling party's most influential conservative blocs.

Their group's support for Sanae Takaichi was pivotal in uniting the party's right wing in her favor.

“I believe that it is challenging for women to somewhat identify with her success because it promotes this idea that we have to be obedient with the existing system,” young adult Minori Konishi says.

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

“They're going to expect us to be compliant, not oppose the ideals that they hold, and it could render our job harder.”

Future Challenges and Anticipations

Making history, however, was just the first of the difficulties Takaichi will face – not least addressing a slow growth and rising prices and winning back the confidence of a frustrated and angry voting public, as in addition to welcoming the US leader within a short time of taking power.

One can reasonably assume that no-one expects women's rights matters to be a top priority on her priority list.