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To numerous female youth in Japan currently, the sight of Sanae Takaichi taking the helm as the nation's inaugural woman leader 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 woman.

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

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

“Everyone's like, ‘wow, she's the inaugural woman prime minister in the nation's past and that would be a significant chance for female advancement and gender equality in Japan’.

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

Instead, Ms Ogura points to her “ideological stance and what she stands for,” noting: “She reinforces the patriarchal system.”

A big fan 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 staunch right-wing politician.

Observers say her ascension is a strategic decision from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party to attract the increasingly right-leaning base which had lately shifted towards Japan's parties further to the right.

Takaichi opposes marriage equality and has consistently voted against legislation that would allow spouses to have different last names, preventing many women from retaining their birth surnames.

She's also against females being in line for succession in the imperial family.

However, she did soften certain her statements during her election bid – stating she favours giving financial benefits to businesses that provide childcare facilities to their employees and mentioned possible tax breaks for households investing in childcare.

Yet she has historically backed the idea of a more traditional role for females in society and in the home.

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

The Country's Gender Gap in Perspective

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

According to the latest equality ranking by the global organization, Japan ranked 118th among 148 countries, with women's presence in the field of politics particularly minimal.

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

The globally fourth biggest economic power ranks at the bottom among the Group of Seven nations when it comes to the percentage of females in its legislative body. In detail, females make up about 15.7% of legislators in Japan, the lowest figure among the G7.

Progress is also sluggish when it comes to female healthcare: only this week was it announced that the “morning after” pill – a type of post-coital birth control available without prescription in over ninety nations – had finally been approved for over the counter use in Japan.

Differing Responses to the Historic Appointment

Nonetheless, some see Takaichi's rise to power as a pivotal moment that could change how women perceive their prospects.

“It is highly meaningful in Ms Takaichi becoming prime minister, with a broader impact on the public,” Naomi Koshi – who was elected as the country's most youthful woman city leader in 2012 – told local media.

She contended Japan having a woman prime minister will “reduce psychological barriers” for females of all ages, enabling them to believe it is acceptable to “excel” as leaders in companies and society, despite gender-based stereotypes and norms still persist.

However a 20-year-old notes that, while it is notable Japan has its first female prime minister, it is important to recall it required her over three decades to get to that position.

“Additionally, she is not truly going against the grain. She expresses the identical views as the men.”

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

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

Political Context and Associations

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 supporters within the LDP have been.

She's the protégé of the late former hawkish prime minister Shinzo Abe, and was backed in the leadership election by a senior politician – a senior figure in the ruling party at the leadership of one of the government's most influential right-wing factions.

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

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

The 21-year-old concurs, stating that with her as a symbol for women in government, “the public are going to expect the same from us as well”.

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

Upcoming Challenges and Expectations

Achieving this milestone, however, was just the first of the difficulties Takaichi will encounter – not least tackling a slow growth and rising prices and regaining the trust of a frustrated and angry voting public, as in addition to hosting the US leader within days of assuming office.

One can reasonably assume that no-one expects gender equality issues to be high on her priority list.