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To numerous female youth in Japan today, the image of Sanae Takaichi taking the helm as the nation's first ever female prime minister is powerful and formative.

It means 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 progressive moment, certain females don't see her as an advocate for change.

“It was quite fascinating to observe how people beyond Japan's borders have reacted to the announcement,” Ayda Ogura states.

People are saying, ‘wow, she's the inaugural woman prime minister in the nation's past and that would be a significant chance for women empowerment and equal rights in Japan’.

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

Instead, Ms Ogura points to her “ideological stance and what she represents,” adding: “She perpetuates the male-dominated structure.”

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

Similar to Thatcher, Takaichi is a staunch conservative.

Observers say her leadership is a strategic decision from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party to attract the increasingly right-leaning supporters which had lately shifted towards Japan's more extreme conservative groups.

Takaichi opposes marriage equality and has long stood against laws that would allow married couples to have separate surnames, blocking many women from keeping their birth surnames.

She's also against females being in line for succession in the royal household.

Nonetheless, she did soften some of her statements during her campaign – stating she supports giving tax incentives to companies that provide daycare services to their employees and spoke of potential tax breaks for families spending on childcare.

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

Regarding gender matters, Takaichi is consistent with her country's less than impressive performance on equality concerns.

The Country's Inequality in Context

Japanese women are among the best educated and highest qualified in the globe and yet they struggle with the demands of a conservative society that still pushes them into traditional roles.

According to the latest equality ranking by the global organization, Japan ranked 118th out of among nearly 150 nations, 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 corporate executives.

The world's fourth largest economy ranks at the bottom among the G7 countries when it comes to the percentage of females in its national parliament. Specifically, women make up about less than 16% of lawmakers in Japan, the lowest figure among the seven major economies.

It is even slow when it comes to female healthcare: only this week was it announced that the “morning after” pill – a form of emergency contraception sold over the counter in over ninety countries – had at last been authorized for over the counter use in Japan.

Mixed Responses to the Landmark Appointment

Even so, 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 becoming prime minister, with a broader impact on society,” a former mayor – who became the nation's most youthful woman mayor in 2012 – informed local media.

She contended Japan having a female prime minister will “lower psychological barriers” for females of all ages, helping them feel it is normal to “excel” as authorities in companies and the community, despite gender-based stereotypes and expectations still remain.

But a 20-year-old notes that, while it is remarkable Japan has its inaugural woman leader, one must remember it took her more than 30 years to reach that office.

“Additionally, she is not really challenging the grain. She expresses the same thing as the men.”

The young woman adds that she shouldn't be put on a platform just due to the fact she is a female.

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

Political Context and Associations

It is not only what Takaichi has said which has caused individuals to describe her as a defender of the male-dominated system.

Additionally, it is evident by who her supporters within the LDP have been.

She was mentored of the late former hawkish prime minister a previous leader, and was endorsed in the leadership election by Taro Aso – a prominent member in the ruling party at the head of one of the government's most influential right-wing factions.

Their group's support for Sanae Takaichi was pivotal in consolidating the party's right wing in her favor.

“I believe that it is challenging for females to somewhat relate to her achievement because it promotes this notion that we must be obedient with the status quo,” 21-year-old Minori Konishi says.

The 21-year-old agrees, saying that with her as a symbol for women in politics, “people are likely to anticipate the same from us as well”.

“They will demand us to be compliant, not oppose the beliefs that they hold, and it could render our role harder.”

Upcoming Obstacles and Anticipations

Making history, however, was only the initial of the difficulties Takaichi will face – including tackling a sluggish economy and inflation and winning back the confidence of a frustrated and irate electorate, as in addition to welcoming 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.