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For many female youth in Japan currently, the sight of Sanae Takaichi taking the helm as the nation's first ever woman leader is powerful and formative.

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

But while the appearances suggest a forward-thinking era, some women don't see her as an advocate for change.

It was rather fascinating to observe how people outside Japan have reacted to the announcement,” a 21-year-old says.

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

In my opinion that's a rather simplistic view.”

Conversely, the young woman points to her “ideological stance and what she stands for,” adding: “She reinforces the male-dominated structure.”

A big fan of Britain's first female prime minister, Sanae Takaichi has always wanted to be the “Steel Magnolia” of her nation.

Similar to Thatcher, Takaichi is a staunch conservative.

Observers say her leadership is a strategic decision from the governing Liberal Democratic Party to appeal to the more conservative supporters which had lately shifted towards Japan's parties further to the right.

The leader is against same-sex marriage and has long stood against laws that would permit married couples to have different last names, preventing many women from keeping their birth surnames.

Additionally, she is against women being in line for succession in the royal household.

However, she moderated certain her messaging during her election bid – stating she favours giving tax incentives to companies that offer daycare services to their employees and spoke of possible deductions for households investing in child-rearing.

Yet she has over the years backed the idea of a conventional role for women in society and in the home.

When it comes to gender matters, Takaichi is consistent with her country's subpar record on gender issues.

Japan's Inequality in Context

Women in Japan are among the best educated and most skilled in the world and yet they face challenges with the demands of a conservative society that still pushes them into conventional positions.

Based on the latest gender gap index by the global organization, Japan placed 118th out of among nearly 150 countries, with female representation in the field of politics particularly minimal.

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 percentage of women in its legislative body. In detail, women constitute about 15.7% of lawmakers in Japan, the lowest figure among the seven major economies.

It is even slow when it comes to women's reproductive health: recently was it revealed that the “morning after” pill – a type of post-coital birth control sold over the counter in more than 90 nations – had at last been authorized for non-prescription sales in Japan.

Differing Responses to the Landmark Appointment

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

“There is great significance in the new prime minister assuming the role of prime minister, with a wider influence on society,” a former mayor – who was elected as the country's most youthful woman city leader in 2012 – told local media.

She contended Japan electing a female prime minister will “reduce psychological barriers” for females of all ages, enabling them to believe it is normal to “stand out” as leaders in companies and society, despite biased expectations and expectations still remain.

But Audrey Hill-Uekawa 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.

“Additionally, she is not really going against the norm. She expresses the same thing as the male politicians.”

The young woman adds that she ought not be placed on a pedestal simply because she is a female.

“We need to make sure we're talking about her agenda. We need to be capable of criticise her fairly as everyone else.”

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 apparent by which individuals her supporters inside the party have been.

She's the protégé of the deceased ex- conservative prime minister Shinzo Abe, and was endorsed in the party vote by a senior politician – a prominent member in the ruling party at the head of one of the ruling party's most influential conservative blocs.

Their group's backing for Sanae Takaichi was crucial in consolidating the conservative wing behind her.

“I believe that it is challenging for women to sort of relate to her achievement because it furthers this notion that we must be compliant with the existing system,” young adult a citizen remarks.

Ms Ogura 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 compliant, not oppose the ideals that they have, and it might make our role harder.”

Future Challenges and Expectations

Achieving this milestone, however, was just the first of the challenges Takaichi will encounter – not least tackling a sluggish economy and inflation and winning back the confidence of a frustrated and angry electorate, as in addition to hosting president Trump within days of taking power.

One can reasonably assume that few anticipate women's rights matters to be high on her priority list.