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To numerous female youth in Japan today, the image of Sanae Takaichi assuming leadership as the country's first ever female leader is powerful and formative.

It means a male-oriented culture and a political system that has historically been controlled by men is currently headed by a female.

But while the appearances speak of a forward-thinking era, some women do not view her as an champion of progress.

“It was quite interesting to see how people beyond Japan's borders have reacted to the news,” a 21-year-old says.

People are saying, ‘wow, she's the first female prime minister in the nation's past and that would be a significant chance for female advancement and gender equality in Japan’.

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

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

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

Similar to Thatcher, Takaichi is a staunch conservative.

Analysts note her ascension is a strategic decision from the ruling 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 laws that would permit married couples to have separate surnames, blocking many females from retaining their maiden names.

Additionally, she is opposed to women being in line for succession in the royal household.

However, she did soften certain her statements during her election bid – stating she supports giving tax incentives to businesses that offer daycare services to their employees and mentioned potential deductions for families investing in childcare.

But she has historically backed the idea of a more traditional role for females in society and in the home.

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

The Country's Gender Gap in Perspective

Japanese women are some of the most highly educated and most skilled in the world and yet they struggle with the expectations of a traditional culture that still pushes them into conventional positions.

Based on the latest gender gap index by the World Economic Forum, Japan placed 118th among nearly 150 nations, with women's presence in the field of politics particularly minimal.

Top roles have traditionally been dominated by males and Japan has struggled to increase the quantity of female lawmakers and corporate executives.

The globally fourth biggest economy places at the bottom among the Group of Seven nations when it comes to the percentage of females in its legislative body. In detail, females constitute about less than 16% 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 revealed that the “emergency” pill – a type of emergency contraception sold over the counter in more than 90 countries – had finally been approved 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 alter how women perceive their opportunities.

“It is highly meaningful in the new prime minister becoming prime minister, with a broader impact on society,” a former mayor – who became the nation's most youthful woman city leader in 2012 – informed local media.

She contended Japan electing a woman prime minister will “reduce psychological barriers” for females of all ages, helping them feel it is acceptable to “excel” as leaders in companies and the community, despite gender-based stereotypes and expectations still remain.

But Audrey Hill-Uekawa notes that, while it is remarkable Japan has its first female leader, one must remember it required her more than 30 years to get to that office.

“Additionally, she is not truly challenging the grain. She expresses the same thing as the male politicians.”

Ms Hill-Uekawa adds that she ought not be placed on a pedestal simply because she is a woman.

“We need to make sure we're talking about her agenda. We need to be able to evaluate her equally as all other leaders.”

Ideological Context and Associations

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

Additionally, it is apparent by who her supporters inside the party have were.

She's the protégé of the late former conservative prime minister Shinzo Abe, and was backed in the party vote by a senior politician – a prominent member in the ruling party at the head of one of the government's most influential right-wing factions.

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

“I believe that it is difficult for women to sort of relate to her success because it furthers this idea that we have to be obedient with the existing system,” young adult Minori Konishi says.

The 21-year-old agrees, saying that with her as a figurehead for women in politics, “people are likely to anticipate the identical from women as too”.

“They're going to expect us to be conforming, not go against the ideals that they hold, and it might make our job more difficult.”

Future Challenges and Expectations

Achieving this milestone, though, was just the first of the difficulties Takaichi will face – including addressing a sluggish economy and rising prices and winning back the trust of a frustrated and angry electorate, as well as welcoming president Trump within days of assuming office.

It's safe to say that few anticipate gender equality issues to be a top priority on her agenda.