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

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

But while the optics suggest a progressive moment, some women don't see her as an champion of progress.

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

People are saying, ‘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’.

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

Instead, the young woman points to her “political beliefs and what she represents,” adding: “She perpetuates the male-dominated structure.”

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

Similar to Thatcher, Takaichi is a staunch conservative.

Analysts note her ascension 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 parties further to the right.

The leader is against marriage equality and has long stood against legislation that would permit spouses to have separate surnames, blocking many females from keeping their maiden names.

Additionally, she is against females being in eligible for the throne in the royal household.

However, she moderated some of her statements during her election bid – stating she favours giving financial benefits to companies that provide daycare services to their employees and spoke of possible deductions for households investing in child-rearing.

But she has over the years supported the notion of a conventional position for women in society and in the home.

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

Japan's Inequality in Context

Japanese women are among the best educated and most skilled in the world and yet they face challenges with the expectations of a conservative society that still pushes them into traditional roles.

According to the latest gender gap index by the World Economic Forum, Japan ranked 118th out of among 148 nations, with female representation in the field of politics notably low.

Top roles have traditionally been dominated by males and Japan has faced difficulties to increase the number of women legislators and business leaders.

The globally fourth biggest economy places at the bottom among the G7 countries when it comes to the percentage of women in its legislative body. Specifically, females constitute about 15.7% of legislators in Japan, the smallest proportion among the seven major economies.

Progress is also sluggish when it comes to women's reproductive health: only this week was it revealed that the “emergency” pill – a form of post-coital birth control available without prescription in over ninety countries – had at last been authorized for non-prescription sales in Japan.

Differing Reactions to the Landmark Appointment

Nonetheless, some see Takaichi's rise to power as a pivotal moment that could change how women view their opportunities.

“It is highly meaningful in Ms Takaichi assuming the role of prime minister, with a broader impact on the public,” a former mayor – who became the country's youngest female mayor in 2012 – told Japan's Kyodo news agency.

She contended Japan electing a female prime minister will “lower mental obstacles” for women and girls, helping them feel it is acceptable to “stand out” as leaders in companies and the community, even as gender-based stereotypes and expectations still remain.

But a 20-year-old points out that, while it is remarkable Japan has its inaugural woman prime minister, it is important to recall it took her over three decades to reach that position.

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

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

“It is essential to make sure we're talking about her policies. We need to be able to evaluate her fairly as everyone else.”

Ideological Context and Influences

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

It's also evident by who her supporters within the LDP have been.

She's the protégé of the deceased ex- conservative prime minister a previous leader, and was endorsed in the leadership election by Taro Aso – a senior figure in the ruling party 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 in her favor.

“I do feel that it is difficult for females to sort of relate to her success because it furthers this notion that we have to be compliant with the status quo,” 21-year-old Minori Konishi remarks.

Ms Ogura concurs, saying that with her as a figurehead for women in government, “the public are going to expect the same from women as well”.

“They're going to expect women to be conforming, not oppose the ideals that they hold, and it might make our job harder.”

Future Obstacles and Expectations

Achieving this milestone, though, was just the first of the challenges Takaichi will face – including addressing a sluggish economy and rising prices and regaining the trust of a discontented and irate electorate, as in addition to hosting the US leader within days of assuming office.

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