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

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

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

“It was quite fascinating to observe how people beyond Japan's borders have responded to the announcement,” a 21-year-old says.

“Everyone's like, ‘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 very naive interpretation.”

Instead, the young woman points to her “ideological stance and what she stands for,” noting: “She reinforces the patriarchal system.”

A strong admirer of Margaret Thatcher, Sanae Takaichi has long aspired to be the “Iron Lady” of her nation.

And like Thatcher, Takaichi is a staunch conservative.

Analysts note her ascension is a tactical move from the ruling LDP to appeal to the increasingly right-leaning supporters which had recently gravitated towards Japan's parties further to the right.

Takaichi opposes same-sex marriage and has long stood against laws that would permit spouses to have separate surnames, preventing many females from retaining their birth surnames.

She's also opposed to women being in line for succession in the royal household.

Nonetheless, she did soften some of her statements during her campaign – stating she favours giving tax incentives to businesses that provide daycare services to their staff and mentioned potential tax breaks for households investing in child-rearing.

But she has over the years supported the notion of a more traditional role for females in the community and in the home.

When it comes to women's issues, Takaichi is aligned with her nation's subpar performance on gender issues.

The Country's Gender Gap in Context

Women in Japan are among the most highly educated and highest qualified in the globe and yet they struggle with the demands of a traditional culture that still pushes them into traditional roles.

Based on the latest gender gap index by the World Economic Forum, Japan ranked 118th out of among nearly 150 countries, with female representation in the political arena notably low.

Top roles have historically been held by men and Japan has struggled to increase the quantity of female lawmakers and corporate executives.

The world's fourth largest economy ranks at the bottom among the Group of Seven nations when it comes to the percentage of women in its national parliament. Specifically, women constitute about 15.7% of legislators in Japan, the smallest proportion among the seven major economies.

Progress is also sluggish when it comes to female healthcare: recently was it revealed that the “morning after” pill – a form of post-coital birth control sold over the counter in more than 90 nations – had finally been approved for non-prescription sales in Japan.

Mixed Responses to the Landmark Appointment

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

“There is great significance in the new prime minister assuming the role of prime minister, with a wider influence on the public,” Naomi Koshi – who was elected as the country's most youthful woman mayor in 2012 – told local media.

Koshi argued Japan electing a woman prime minister will “reduce psychological barriers” for women and girls, helping them feel it is acceptable to “excel” as authorities in businesses and the community, despite biased expectations and norms still remain.

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

“Additionally, she is not truly going against the norm. She's saying the identical views as the male politicians.”

The young woman adds that she shouldn't be put on a platform simply because she is a female.

“It is essential to make sure we're talking about her agenda. We need to be capable of criticise her equally as all other leaders.”

Political Context and Associations

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

It's also evident by which individuals her supporters inside the party have been.

She was mentored of the late ex- conservative prime minister a previous leader, and was backed in the leadership election by Taro Aso – a prominent member in the LDP at the leadership of one of the ruling party's most influential right-wing factions.

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

“I believe that it is challenging for women to sort of relate to her success because it promotes this idea that we must be obedient with the status quo,” 21-year-old Minori Konishi says.

The 21-year-old concurs, stating that with her as a symbol for women in government, “the public are likely to anticipate the identical from women as too”.

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

Upcoming Obstacles and Anticipations

Making history, however, was just the first of the difficulties Takaichi will face – not least tackling a sluggish economy and inflation and winning back the trust of a discontented and angry electorate, as well as welcoming the US leader within days of assuming office.

One can reasonably assume that no-one expects gender equality issues to be a top priority on her priority list.