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For many female youth in Japan today, the image of Sanae Takaichi assuming leadership as the nation's first ever female leader is powerful and influential.

It means a male-oriented culture and a political system that has long been dominated by men is now led by a woman.

But while the optics speak of a progressive moment, certain females don't see her as an champion of progress.

“It was quite interesting to observe how individuals outside Japan have responded to the announcement,” a 21-year-old states.

“Everyone's like, ‘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.”

Conversely, the young woman 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 always wanted to be the “Iron Lady” of her nation.

Similar to Thatcher, Takaichi is a staunch conservative.

Analysts note her leadership is a tactical move from the ruling LDP to appeal to the more conservative 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 allow spouses to have different last names, preventing many females from retaining their maiden names.

She's also opposed to women being in line for succession in the royal household.

Nonetheless, she moderated some of her statements during her election bid – stating she favours giving financial benefits to companies that offer childcare facilities to their employees and spoke of possible tax breaks for families spending on child-rearing.

But she has historically supported the notion of a more traditional role for women in the community and in the family.

Regarding gender matters, Takaichi is aligned with her country's subpar record on equality concerns.

The Country's Inequality in Context

Women in Japan are among the most highly educated and most skilled in the globe and yet they face challenges with the demands of a traditional culture that still directs them into conventional positions.

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

Top roles have traditionally been dominated by males and Japan has faced difficulties to increase the number of female lawmakers and corporate executives.

The globally fourth biggest economic power places last among the Group of Seven nations when it comes to the share of women in its national parliament. In detail, females make up about 15.7% of legislators in Japan, the lowest figure among the seven major economies.

It is even slow when it comes to women's reproductive health: only this week was it announced that the “morning after” pill – a type of post-coital birth control sold over the counter in over ninety nations – had finally been approved for over the counter use in Japan.

Mixed Responses to the Landmark Leadership

Even so, certain individuals view Takaichi's rise to power as a pivotal moment that could change how women view their prospects.

“There is great significance in the new prime minister assuming the role of prime minister, with a broader impact on society,” Naomi Koshi – who was elected as the country's youngest female city leader in 2012 – told Japan's Kyodo news agency.

She contended Japan electing a female prime minister will “reduce 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 norms still persist.

But a 20-year-old notes that, while it is notable Japan has its first female prime minister, it is important to recall it took her more than 30 years to get to that position.

“She's also not truly going against the norm. She's saying the same thing as the male politicians.”

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

“It is essential to make sure we're discussing her policies. We must be capable of evaluate her fairly as everyone else.”

Ideological 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.

Additionally, it is evident by which individuals her supporters inside the party have were.

She's the protégé of the deceased ex- hawkish prime minister a previous leader, and was endorsed in the party vote by Taro Aso – a prominent member 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 conservative wing in her favor.

“I believe that it is difficult for women to somewhat relate to her success because it promotes this idea that we have to be obedient with the status quo,” 21-year-old a citizen says.

The 21-year-old concurs, saying that with her as a symbol for females in government, “the public are likely to anticipate the identical from women as well”.

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

Upcoming Obstacles and Anticipations

Making history, though, was only the initial of the challenges Takaichi will encounter – including tackling a sluggish economy and inflation and winning back the confidence of a discontented and angry electorate, as well as welcoming the US leader within days of taking power.

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