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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 impactful and influential.

This signifies a patriarchal society and a government structure that has historically been controlled by men is currently headed by a woman.

But while the appearances suggest a forward-thinking era, some women do not view her as an champion of progress.

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

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

“I think that's a rather simplistic interpretation.”

Instead, Ms Ogura points to her “political beliefs and what she represents,” noting: “She perpetuates 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 nation.

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

Observers say her ascension is a tactical move from the ruling LDP to attract the increasingly right-leaning supporters which had lately shifted towards Japan's more extreme conservative groups.

Takaichi opposes same-sex marriage and has long stood against laws that would permit spouses to have different last names, preventing many women from retaining their birth surnames.

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

Nonetheless, she moderated some of her messaging during her campaign – stating she supports giving financial benefits to businesses that offer daycare services to their staff and spoke of possible tax breaks for households investing in childcare.

Yet she has historically backed the notion of a conventional role for females in the community 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 Perspective

Women in Japan are some of 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 conventional positions.

Based on the latest gender gap index by the World Economic Forum, Japan ranked 118th out of among nearly 150 countries, with women's presence in the field of politics particularly minimal.

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

The globally fourth biggest economy ranks at the bottom among the G7 countries when it comes to the share of females in its national parliament. In detail, females constitute about 15.7% of lawmakers in Japan, the lowest figure among the seven major economies.

Progress is also sluggish when it comes to female healthcare: only this week was it revealed that the “emergency” pill – a form of emergency contraception sold over the counter in more than 90 nations – had at last been authorized for non-prescription sales in Japan.

Mixed Responses to the Landmark Leadership

Nonetheless, some see Takaichi's rise to power as a pivotal moment that could change how females view their opportunities.

“There is great significance in the new prime minister assuming the role of prime minister, with a wider influence on the public,” Naomi Koshi – who became the nation's most youthful woman city leader in 2012 – told Japan's Kyodo news agency.

Koshi argued Japan having a female prime minister will “lower mental obstacles” for women and girls, helping them feel it is acceptable to “stand out” as leaders in businesses and the community, despite gender-based stereotypes and expectations still persist.

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

“She's also not really challenging the grain. She's saying the same thing as the men.”

The young woman adds that she shouldn't be put on a platform 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 criticise her fairly as all other leaders.”

Ideological Context and Influences

It is not just what Takaichi has said which has led people to label her as a supporter of the male-dominated system.

It's also evident by which individuals her supporters within the LDP have were.

She was mentored of the deceased ex- conservative prime minister Shinzo Abe, and was endorsed in the leadership election by Taro Aso – a senior figure in the LDP at the leadership of one of the government's most powerful conservative blocs.

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

“I do feel that it is difficult for women to somewhat relate to her achievement because it furthers this idea that we must be compliant with the existing system,” 21-year-old Minori Konishi says.

Ms Ogura concurs, saying that with her as a figurehead for women in government, “people are likely to anticipate the same from women as well”.

“They're going to expect women to be compliant, not go against the ideals that they have, and it might make our role harder.”

Upcoming Obstacles and Anticipations

Achieving this milestone, though, was just the first of the difficulties Takaichi will face – not least addressing a sluggish economy and rising prices and regaining the confidence of a discontented and irate electorate, as well as welcoming the US leader within a short time of taking power.

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