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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 female prime minister is powerful and formative.

It means a patriarchal society and a government structure that has historically been controlled by men is now led by a woman.

However, although the optics suggest a forward-thinking era, some women do not view her as an advocate for change.

It was rather fascinating to observe how people outside Japan have reacted to the news,” Ayda Ogura states.

People are saying, ‘wow, she's the inaugural woman 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 rather simplistic view.”

Conversely, the young woman points to her “ideological stance and what she represents,” noting: “She perpetuates the patriarchal system.”

A big fan of Margaret Thatcher, 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 strategic decision from the governing Liberal Democratic Party to attract the increasingly right-leaning base which had recently gravitated towards Japan's parties further to the right.

The leader is against marriage equality and has long stood against legislation that would permit married couples to have different last names, blocking many women from keeping their maiden names.

She's also against women being in eligible for the throne in the imperial family.

However, she did soften some of her messaging during her campaign – saying she favours giving tax incentives to businesses that provide daycare services to their employees and spoke of possible tax breaks for families investing in child-rearing.

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

Regarding women's issues, Takaichi is aligned with her nation's subpar record on gender issues.

Japan's Inequality in Context

Women in Japan are among the best educated and highest qualified in the globe and yet they face challenges with the demands of a traditional culture that still directs them into conventional positions.

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

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

The world's fourth largest economic power ranks last among the G7 countries when it comes to the percentage of women in its national parliament. In detail, women make up about less than 16% of lawmakers in Japan, the lowest figure among the G7.

It is even slow when it comes to female healthcare: only this week was it announced that the “morning after” pill – a type of post-coital birth control sold over the counter in over ninety nations – had at last been authorized for over the counter use in Japan.

Mixed Reactions to the Landmark Leadership

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

“It is highly meaningful in the new prime minister assuming the role of prime minister, with a broader impact on society,” Naomi Koshi – who became the nation's youngest female mayor in 2012 – informed local media.

She contended Japan electing a female 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 gender-based stereotypes and expectations still persist.

But Audrey Hill-Uekawa notes that, while it is remarkable Japan has its inaugural woman leader, one must remember it required her more than 30 years to reach that position.

“She's also not truly going against the grain. She's saying the same thing as the male politicians.”

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

“It is essential to ensure we're discussing her agenda. We must be capable of evaluate her fairly as all other leaders.”

Political Context and Associations

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

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

She was mentored of the late ex- conservative prime minister Shinzo Abe, and was endorsed in the leadership election by a senior politician – a senior figure in the LDP at the leadership of one of the ruling party's most powerful right-wing factions.

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

“I do feel that it is difficult for women to sort of identify with her success because it furthers this idea that we must be compliant with the status quo,” 21-year-old a citizen remarks.

Ms Ogura concurs, saying that with her as a symbol for females in politics, “people are likely to anticipate the same from us as well”.

“They're going to expect women to be conforming, not go against the beliefs that they have, and it could render our role harder.”

Future Challenges and Anticipations

Making history, however, was only the initial of the challenges Takaichi will encounter – including addressing a sluggish economy and inflation and winning back the confidence of a frustrated and angry electorate, as well as hosting president Trump within a short time of assuming office.

It's safe to say that no-one expects women's rights matters to be a top priority on her priority list.