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To numerous female youth in Japan today, the sight of Sanae Takaichi assuming leadership as the nation's inaugural female prime minister is powerful and formative.

This signifies a male-oriented culture and a political system that has historically been controlled by men is currently headed by a female.

However, although the optics suggest a progressive moment, some women don't see her as an advocate for change.

“It was quite fascinating to observe how people 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 women empowerment and equal rights in Japan’.

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

Conversely, Ms Ogura points to her “political beliefs and what she stands for,” adding: “She reinforces the male-dominated structure.”

A big fan of Margaret Thatcher, Sanae Takaichi has always wanted to be the “Iron Lady” of her nation.

Similar to Thatcher, Takaichi is a staunch conservative.

Observers say her ascension is a strategic decision from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party to attract the increasingly right-leaning base which had recently gravitated towards Japan's more extreme conservative groups.

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

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

However, she did soften some of her messaging during her election bid – saying she supports giving tax incentives to companies that offer childcare facilities to their employees and spoke of possible deductions for households investing in childcare.

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

Regarding women's issues, Takaichi is aligned with her nation's less than impressive performance on gender issues.

The Country's Gender Gap in Context

Women in Japan are among the most highly educated and highest qualified in the world and yet they face challenges with the demands of a traditional culture that still pushes them into conventional positions.

According to the latest gender gap index by the World Economic Forum, Japan placed 118th among nearly 150 countries, with female representation in the political arena particularly minimal.

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

The world's fourth largest economy places at the bottom among the G7 countries 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 smallest proportion among the G7.

Progress is also sluggish when it comes to women's reproductive health: recently was it announced that the “morning after” pill – a form of emergency contraception available without prescription in more than 90 nations – had at last been authorized for over the counter use in Japan.

Differing Reactions to the Landmark Appointment

Nonetheless, certain individuals view Takaichi's ascent as a critical juncture that could alter how females perceive their opportunities.

“There is great significance in Ms Takaichi assuming the role of prime minister, with a wider influence on the public,” Naomi Koshi – who became the nation's youngest female city leader in 2012 – informed local media.

She contended Japan electing a woman prime minister will “lower mental obstacles” for women and girls, enabling them to believe it is normal to “excel” as authorities in companies and the community, despite gender-based stereotypes and norms still remain.

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

“She's also not truly going against the grain. She expresses the same thing as the men.”

Ms Hill-Uekawa 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 discussing her agenda. We need to be capable of evaluate her fairly as all other leaders.”

Political Background and Influences

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

It's also apparent by who her champions inside the party have were.

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

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

“I do feel that it is challenging for women to sort of identify with her achievement because it furthers this notion that we must be obedient with the status quo,” 21-year-old Minori Konishi says.

The 21-year-old agrees, stating that with her as a figurehead for women in government, “the public are likely to anticipate the identical from women as well”.

“They will demand women to be compliant, not go against the ideals that they hold, and it might make our job harder.”

Future Challenges and Expectations

Achieving this milestone, though, was only the initial of the challenges Takaichi will encounter – including addressing a sluggish economy and rising prices and winning back the confidence of a discontented and irate voting public, as well as hosting the US leader within a short time of taking power.

It's safe to say that no-one expects women's rights matters to be high on her agenda.