To numerous female youth in Japan currently, the image of Sanae Takaichi assuming leadership as the nation's inaugural woman leader is powerful and influential.
It means a male-oriented culture and a political system that has long been dominated by men is now led by a female.
But while the appearances suggest a progressive moment, certain females don't see her as an advocate for change.
“It was quite interesting to see how people beyond Japan's borders have responded to the announcement,” a 21-year-old says.
People are saying, ‘wow, she's the first female prime minister in Japanese history and that would be a great opportunity for female advancement and equal rights in Japan’.
In my opinion that's a rather simplistic interpretation.”
Instead, Ms Ogura points to her “political beliefs and what she stands for,” adding: “She perpetuates the patriarchal system.”
A big fan of Britain's first female prime minister, Sanae Takaichi has long aspired to be the “Iron Lady” of her nation.
And like Thatcher, Takaichi is a firm conservative.
Analysts note her leadership is a tactical move from the governing LDP to appeal to the more conservative base which had recently gravitated towards Japan's parties further to the right.
Takaichi opposes marriage equality and has consistently voted against laws that would permit married couples to have separate surnames, preventing many females from retaining their maiden names.
She's also against women being in line for succession in the imperial family.
However, she moderated certain her messaging during her election bid – stating she favours giving tax incentives to businesses that offer daycare services to their employees and mentioned possible deductions for families spending on child-rearing.
Yet she has over the years supported the notion of a more traditional position for women in society and in the family.
Regarding gender matters, Takaichi is consistent with her country's subpar record on equality concerns.
Women in Japan 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 conventional positions.
Based on the 2025 gender gap index by the World Economic Forum, Japan placed 118th out of among nearly 150 countries, with female representation in the field of politics particularly minimal.
Leadership positions have historically been held by men and Japan has struggled to increase the number of female lawmakers and business leaders.
The world's fourth largest economy places last among the Group of Seven nations when it comes to the share of women 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 female healthcare: only this week was it revealed that the “morning after” pill – a type of emergency contraception available without prescription in more than 90 nations – had at last been authorized for over the counter use in Japan.
Nonetheless, certain individuals view Takaichi's ascent as a critical juncture that could change how women perceive their opportunities.
“There is great significance in Ms Takaichi becoming prime minister, with a broader impact on society,” a former mayor – who was elected as the country's youngest female city leader in 2012 – told local media.
Koshi argued Japan having a woman prime minister will “lower psychological barriers” for women and girls, enabling them to believe it is acceptable to “stand out” as leaders in companies and society, even as biased expectations and expectations still remain.
But Audrey Hill-Uekawa points out that, while it is notable Japan has its first female leader, one must remember it took her over three decades to reach that position.
“She's also not really challenging the norm. She expresses the same thing as the men.”
Ms Hill-Uekawa further states that she ought not be placed on a platform just due to the fact she is a female.
“It is essential to ensure we're discussing her policies. We need to be capable of criticise her fairly as everyone else.”
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 who her supporters within the LDP have were.
She was mentored of the deceased former hawkish 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 ruling party's most influential right-wing factions.
His faction's support for Sanae Takaichi was crucial in uniting the conservative wing in her favor.
“I do feel that it is difficult for women 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 says.
The 21-year-old agrees, saying that with her as a figurehead for females in government, “the public are going to expect the same from women as too”.
“They're going to expect women to be conforming, not go against the ideals that they have, and it might make our job more difficult.”
Achieving this milestone, however, was just the first of the challenges Takaichi will face – not least addressing a slow growth and rising prices and regaining the trust of a frustrated and irate electorate, as well as welcoming the US leader within days of taking power.
It's safe to say that no-one expects women's rights matters to be a top priority on her agenda.
