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To numerous female youth in Japan currently, the sight of Sanae Takaichi taking the helm as the nation's first ever female leader is powerful and formative.

This signifies a patriarchal society and a government structure that has long been dominated by men is currently headed by a woman.

However, although the optics speak of a forward-thinking era, certain females do not view her as an champion of progress.

“It was quite interesting to see how individuals beyond Japan's borders have responded to the announcement,” Ayda Ogura states.

People are saying, ‘wow, she's the inaugural woman prime minister in the nation's past and that would be a significant chance for women empowerment and equal rights in Japan’.

“I think that's a very naive view.”

Conversely, the young woman highlights her “political beliefs and what she stands for,” adding: “She reinforces the patriarchal system.”

A strong admirer of Britain's first female prime minister, Sanae Takaichi has long aspired to be the “Steel Magnolia” of her country.

Similar to Thatcher, Takaichi is a staunch right-wing politician.

Observers say her leadership is a tactical move from the governing Liberal Democratic Party to attract the more conservative supporters which had lately shifted towards Japan's parties further to the right.

Takaichi opposes same-sex marriage and has long stood against legislation that would allow spouses to have separate surnames, blocking many women from keeping their birth surnames.

She's also opposed to females being in eligible for the throne in the imperial family.

Nonetheless, she did soften some of her messaging during her campaign – saying she supports giving financial benefits to companies that offer childcare facilities to their employees and mentioned possible deductions for families spending on childcare.

Yet she has historically supported the notion of a conventional role for females in society and in the home.

Regarding women's issues, Takaichi is aligned with her nation's less than impressive performance on gender issues.

The Country's Gender Gap in Perspective

Japanese women are some of the most highly educated and highest qualified in the world and yet they face challenges with the demands of a traditional culture that still pushes them into conventional positions.

According to the latest equality ranking by the World Economic Forum, Japan ranked 118th out of among 148 countries, with female representation in the field of politics particularly minimal.

Top roles have historically been held by males and Japan has faced difficulties to increase the quantity of women legislators and business leaders.

The world's fourth largest economy places last among the Group of Seven nations when it comes to the percentage of women in its national parliament. In detail, women constitute about 15.7% of lawmakers in Japan, the lowest figure among the G7.

It is even slow when it comes to female healthcare: recently was it revealed that the “emergency” pill – a form of emergency contraception available without prescription in more than 90 nations – had finally been approved for over the counter use in Japan.

Differing Reactions to the Historic Leadership

Even so, certain individuals view Takaichi's ascent as a pivotal moment that could change how females view their opportunities.

“It is highly meaningful in the new prime minister assuming the role of prime minister, with a broader impact on the public,” Naomi Koshi – who was elected as the country's most youthful woman mayor in 2012 – told local media.

Koshi argued Japan having a female prime minister will “lower psychological barriers” for females of all ages, enabling them to believe it is acceptable to “excel” as authorities in companies and society, even as gender-based stereotypes and norms still remain.

But Audrey Hill-Uekawa notes that, while it is remarkable Japan has its first female prime minister, one must remember it took her over three decades to get to that office.

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

Ms Hill-Uekawa further states that she ought not be placed on a platform simply because she is a female.

“It is essential to make sure we're talking about her agenda. We must be able to criticise her equally as everyone else.”

Ideological Context and Influences

It is not only what Takaichi has stated which has caused individuals to describe her as a defender of the patriarchy.

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

She's the protégé of the late ex- hawkish prime minister Shinzo Abe, and was backed in the leadership election by Taro Aso – a senior figure in the LDP at the leadership of one of the government's most powerful right-wing factions.

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

“I believe that it is difficult for women to somewhat identify with her success because it promotes this idea that we have to be compliant with the existing system,” young adult Minori Konishi says.

The 21-year-old agrees, stating that with her as a figurehead for women in politics, “the public are likely to anticipate the same from us as too”.

“They're going to expect us to be compliant, not oppose the ideals that they hold, and it could render our job more difficult.”

Future Obstacles and Expectations

Achieving this milestone, however, was only the initial of the challenges Takaichi will encounter – including tackling a slow growth and inflation and regaining the trust of a discontented and angry electorate, as in addition to hosting the US leader within a short time of taking power.

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