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

This signifies a patriarchal society and a political system that has historically been controlled by men is currently headed by a female.

But while the optics speak of a forward-thinking era, certain females don't see her as an champion of progress.

It was rather interesting to observe how individuals beyond Japan's borders have reacted to the news,” a 21-year-old says.

“Everyone's like, ‘wow, she's the first female prime minister in Japanese history and that would be a significant chance for female advancement and equal rights in Japan’.

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

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

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

And like Thatcher, Takaichi is a firm conservative.

Observers say her ascension is a tactical move from the governing Liberal Democratic Party to attract the more conservative supporters which had recently gravitated towards Japan's more extreme conservative groups.

The leader is against marriage equality and has consistently voted against legislation that would allow married couples to have separate surnames, blocking many women from retaining their maiden names.

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

However, she did soften certain her statements during her election bid – saying she supports giving financial benefits to businesses that provide daycare services to their staff and spoke of potential tax breaks for households spending on childcare.

Yet she has over the years backed the notion of a conventional position for women in society and in the family.

Regarding gender matters, Takaichi is consistent with her country's subpar performance on gender issues.

The Country's Inequality in Perspective

Japanese women are among the best educated and highest qualified in the globe 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 global organization, Japan ranked 118th out of among nearly 150 countries, with women's presence in the political arena particularly minimal.

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

The globally fourth biggest economy ranks last among the G7 countries when it comes to the percentage of females in its legislative body. Specifically, females make up about 15.7% of lawmakers in Japan, the smallest proportion among the seven major economies.

Progress is also sluggish when it comes to women's reproductive health: recently was it announced that the “morning after” pill – a type 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 Historic Leadership

Even so, certain individuals view Takaichi's rise to power as a critical juncture that could alter how females view their prospects.

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

Koshi argued Japan having a woman prime minister will “lower mental obstacles” for females of all ages, helping them feel it is normal to “excel” as leaders in businesses and the community, despite biased expectations and expectations still remain.

However Audrey Hill-Uekawa points out that, while it is remarkable Japan has its inaugural woman leader, one must remember it required her over three decades to reach that office.

“Additionally, she is not really going against the grain. She's saying the same thing as the men.”

Ms Hill-Uekawa further states that she shouldn't be put on a pedestal just due to the fact she is a woman.

“We need to ensure we're discussing her policies. We must be able to evaluate her equally as all other leaders.”

Political Context 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 champions within the LDP have been.

She's the protégé of the late ex- conservative prime minister Shinzo Abe, and was endorsed in the party vote by Taro Aso – a senior figure in the ruling party at the head of one of the government's most influential right-wing factions.

His faction's backing for Sanae Takaichi was pivotal in consolidating the conservative wing behind her.

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

Ms Ogura agrees, saying that with her as a figurehead for females in politics, “the public are likely to anticipate the identical from us as well”.

“They're going to expect women to be compliant, not go against the beliefs that they hold, and it might make our role harder.”

Upcoming Obstacles and Anticipations

Making history, however, was only the initial of the challenges Takaichi will face – including tackling a sluggish economy and rising prices and winning back the trust of a frustrated and angry electorate, as well as welcoming the US leader within a short time of taking power.

It's safe to say that no-one expects gender equality issues to be a top priority on her priority list.