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To numerous female youth in Japan currently, the sight of Sanae Takaichi taking the helm as the nation's first ever female prime minister is powerful and influential.

This signifies a male-oriented culture and a political system that has long been dominated by men is currently headed by a woman.

However, although the optics speak of a forward-thinking era, certain females don't see her as an advocate for change.

It was rather fascinating to observe how people beyond Japan's borders have reacted to the news,” Ayda Ogura says.

People are saying, ‘wow, she's the inaugural woman prime minister in the nation's past and that would be a great opportunity for female advancement and gender equality in Japan’.

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

Instead, the young woman points to her “political beliefs and what she stands for,” noting: “She perpetuates the male-dominated structure.”

A big fan of Margaret Thatcher, Sanae Takaichi has long aspired to be the “Iron Lady” of her country.

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

Analysts note her ascension is a tactical move from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party to appeal to the increasingly right-leaning base which had lately shifted towards Japan's parties further to the right.

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

She's also opposed to women being in line for succession in the imperial family.

Nonetheless, she moderated some of her messaging during her campaign – stating she favours giving tax incentives to businesses that offer childcare facilities to their staff and spoke of potential deductions for families spending on child-rearing.

Yet she has over the years supported the notion of a conventional role for females in the community and in the family.

Regarding gender matters, Takaichi is consistent with her country's less than impressive performance on gender issues.

The Country's Gender Gap in Perspective

Japanese women are some of the most highly educated and highest qualified in the world and yet they face challenges with the expectations of a conservative society that still directs them into traditional roles.

According to the latest gender gap index by the global organization, Japan ranked 118th among nearly 150 countries, with women's presence in the political arena particularly minimal.

Top roles have historically been held by males and Japan has faced difficulties to boost the quantity of female lawmakers and business leaders.

The world's fourth largest economic power places at the bottom among the G7 countries when it comes to the percentage of females in its national parliament. In detail, females constitute about less than 16% of lawmakers in Japan, the smallest proportion among the seven major economies.

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

Differing Responses to the Landmark Leadership

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

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

Koshi argued Japan having a woman prime minister will “lower psychological barriers” for females of all ages, helping them feel it is normal to “stand out” as leaders in businesses and society, despite gender-based stereotypes and expectations still persist.

However Audrey Hill-Uekawa notes that, while it is remarkable Japan has its first female prime minister, one must remember it took her more than 30 years to reach that office.

“She's also not truly challenging the norm. She's saying the same thing as the men.”

The young woman further states that she shouldn't be put on a pedestal simply because she is a woman.

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

Political Background and Associations

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

Additionally, it is evident by which individuals her champions within the LDP have were.

She's the protégé of the deceased ex- conservative prime minister a previous leader, and was backed in the party vote by a senior politician – a senior figure in the LDP at the head of one of the government's most powerful right-wing factions.

His faction's support for Sanae Takaichi was pivotal in uniting the conservative wing behind her.

“I do feel that it is challenging for females to somewhat identify with her success because it promotes this idea that we have to be compliant with the status quo,” young adult a citizen says.

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

“They're going to expect women to be compliant, not oppose the beliefs that they have, and it could render our job more difficult.”

Future Challenges and Anticipations

Achieving this milestone, however, was just the first of the challenges Takaichi will encounter – including addressing a sluggish economy and inflation and winning back the confidence of a frustrated and angry voting public, 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 a top priority on her agenda.