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To numerous female youth in Japan today, the sight of Sanae Takaichi taking the helm as the country's first ever woman leader 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 do not view her as an advocate for change.

“It was quite interesting to see how individuals beyond Japan's borders 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 significant chance for female advancement and gender equality in Japan’.

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

Conversely, Ms Ogura points to her “political beliefs and what she represents,” noting: “She reinforces the patriarchal system.”

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 right-wing politician.

Observers say her leadership is a tactical move from the governing Liberal Democratic Party to appeal to the increasingly right-leaning base which had lately shifted towards Japan's more extreme conservative groups.

Takaichi opposes marriage equality and has consistently voted against legislation that would permit married couples to have different last names, blocking many women from keeping their maiden names.

Additionally, she is opposed to women being in eligible for the throne in the imperial family.

However, she moderated certain her statements during her campaign – stating she favours giving tax incentives to companies that provide childcare facilities to their employees and mentioned possible tax breaks for households investing in childcare.

But she has historically backed the notion of a conventional role for females in the community and in the family.

When it comes to women's issues, Takaichi is consistent with her country's less than impressive performance on gender issues.

The Country's Inequality in Context

Japanese women are some of the best educated and highest qualified in the world and yet they face challenges with the expectations of a traditional culture that still pushes them into conventional positions.

Based on the latest equality ranking by the World Economic Forum, Japan ranked 118th out of among nearly 150 countries, with female representation in the political arena particularly minimal.

Leadership positions have historically been held by males and Japan has struggled to increase the number of female lawmakers and business leaders.

The globally fourth biggest economic power ranks at the bottom among the G7 countries when it comes to the share of women in its legislative body. In detail, females make up 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 announced that the “emergency” pill – a form of emergency contraception available without prescription in more than 90 nations – had at last been authorized for non-prescription sales in Japan.

Mixed Responses to the Historic Leadership

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

“It is highly meaningful in Ms Takaichi assuming the role of prime minister, with a wider influence on society,” a former mayor – who was elected as the nation's most youthful woman mayor in 2012 – informed Japan's Kyodo news agency.

She contended Japan having a female prime minister will “reduce psychological barriers” for females of all ages, helping them feel it is acceptable to “excel” as leaders in companies and society, even as biased expectations and norms still persist.

But Audrey Hill-Uekawa points out that, while it is remarkable Japan has its first female leader, it is important to recall it took her more than 30 years to get to that position.

“Additionally, she is not truly challenging the norm. She's saying 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.

“We need to ensure we're talking about her policies. We must be capable of evaluate her equally as all other leaders.”

Ideological Background and Influences

It is not just what Takaichi has stated 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 been.

She's the protégé of the deceased ex- hawkish prime minister a previous leader, and was backed in the leadership election by Taro Aso – a prominent member in the LDP at the leadership of one of the government's most influential conservative blocs.

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

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

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

“They're going to expect women to be compliant, not oppose the ideals that they hold, and it could render our job more difficult.”

Future Obstacles and Expectations

Making history, though, was just the first of the difficulties Takaichi will face – not least tackling a sluggish economy and rising prices and winning back the trust of a discontented and angry electorate, as well as hosting the US leader within days of taking power.

One can reasonably assume that no-one expects women's rights matters to be a top priority on her priority list.