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For many female youth in Japan today, the sight of Sanae Takaichi assuming leadership as the country's inaugural female prime minister is impactful and influential.

This signifies a male-oriented culture and a political system that has long been dominated by men is now led by a female.

However, although the appearances suggest a forward-thinking era, certain females don't see her as an advocate for change.

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

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

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

Instead, Ms Ogura highlights her “political beliefs and what she stands for,” noting: “She perpetuates the male-dominated structure.”

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

Similar to Thatcher, Takaichi is a staunch conservative.

Analysts note her ascension is a tactical move from the ruling LDP to attract the increasingly right-leaning base which had recently gravitated towards Japan's parties further to the right.

The leader is against same-sex marriage and has long stood against laws that would allow spouses to have different last names, blocking many females from keeping their maiden names.

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

However, she moderated certain her statements during her election bid – stating she favours giving tax incentives to businesses that provide daycare services to their staff and mentioned potential tax breaks for households spending on childcare.

Yet she has over the years supported the notion of a more traditional position for females in society and in the home.

When it comes to gender matters, Takaichi is aligned with her nation's subpar performance on equality concerns.

Japan's Inequality in Context

Japanese women are some of the best educated and highest qualified in the world and yet they struggle with the expectations of a conservative society that still directs them into conventional positions.

Based on the latest equality ranking by the global organization, Japan ranked 118th out of among 148 nations, with women's presence in the field of politics particularly minimal.

Top roles have traditionally been dominated by males and Japan has faced difficulties to increase the quantity of women legislators and corporate executives.

The world's fourth largest economic power places at the bottom among the Group of Seven nations when it comes to the share of females in its national parliament. Specifically, women constitute about 15.7% of legislators in Japan, the smallest proportion among the seven major economies.

It is even slow when it comes to women's reproductive health: recently was it announced that the “emergency” pill – a form of post-coital birth control available without prescription in more than 90 countries – had at last been authorized for over the counter use in Japan.

Mixed Responses to the Landmark Leadership

Nonetheless, certain individuals view Takaichi's rise to power as a critical juncture that could change how females view their opportunities.

“It is highly meaningful in Ms Takaichi becoming prime minister, with a broader impact on society,” Naomi Koshi – who became the country's youngest female mayor in 2012 – informed local media.

Koshi argued Japan having a female prime minister will “lower psychological barriers” for females of all ages, helping them feel it is acceptable to “stand out” as leaders in businesses and society, despite biased expectations and expectations still persist.

But a 20-year-old notes that, while it is notable Japan has its inaugural woman prime minister, one must remember it required her over three decades to reach that position.

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

The young woman further states that she shouldn't be put on a pedestal simply because she is a female.

“It is essential to make sure we're talking about her agenda. We need to be capable of evaluate her equally as all other leaders.”

Ideological Background and Associations

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

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

She was mentored of the deceased ex- hawkish prime minister a previous leader, and was backed in the leadership election by Taro Aso – a senior figure in the ruling party at the leadership of one of the ruling party's most influential right-wing factions.

His faction's support for Sanae Takaichi was crucial in uniting the conservative wing behind her.

“I believe that it is challenging for females to somewhat identify with her achievement because it furthers this idea that we have to be obedient with the existing system,” 21-year-old a citizen remarks.

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

“They're going to expect us to be compliant, not oppose the beliefs that they have, and it might make our job harder.”

Upcoming Challenges and Expectations

Making history, however, was only the initial of the challenges Takaichi will face – including addressing a sluggish economy and inflation and winning back the trust of a discontented and angry voting public, as well as hosting the US leader within a short time of assuming office.

It's safe to say that no-one expects women's rights matters to be a top priority on her priority list.