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

It means a patriarchal society and a political system that has historically been controlled by men is currently headed by a female.

But while the optics suggest a forward-thinking era, certain females don't see her as an advocate for change.

It was rather fascinating to see how individuals 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 women empowerment and gender equality in Japan’.

In my opinion that's a rather simplistic interpretation.”

Conversely, Ms Ogura highlights her “political beliefs and what she stands for,” adding: “She perpetuates the male-dominated structure.”

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

And like Thatcher, Takaichi is a staunch conservative.

Observers say her leadership is a strategic decision from the ruling LDP to appeal to the more conservative supporters which had recently gravitated towards Japan's more extreme conservative groups.

The leader is against same-sex marriage and has consistently voted against legislation that would allow spouses to have separate surnames, preventing many females from keeping their maiden names.

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

Nonetheless, she did soften some of her messaging during her campaign – stating she favours giving tax incentives to companies that offer childcare facilities to their staff and mentioned potential deductions for families investing in childcare.

Yet she has over the years backed the idea of a more traditional position for women in the community and in the family.

When it comes to women's issues, Takaichi is consistent with her nation's subpar performance on equality concerns.

The Country's Inequality in Perspective

Women in Japan are some of the most highly educated and highest qualified in the globe and yet they struggle with the expectations of a conservative society that still pushes them into traditional roles.

Based on the latest gender gap index by the global organization, Japan ranked 118th out of among nearly 150 nations, with women's presence in the political arena 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 ranks at the bottom among the Group of Seven nations when it comes to the share of females in its legislative body. Specifically, women make up about less than 16% of lawmakers in Japan, the smallest proportion among the G7.

It is even slow when it comes to female healthcare: recently was it announced that the “morning after” pill – a type of post-coital birth control sold over the counter in more than 90 nations – had at last been authorized for non-prescription sales in Japan.

Mixed Reactions to the Landmark Appointment

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

“It is highly meaningful in the new prime minister assuming the role of prime minister, with a wider influence on the public,” Naomi Koshi – who became the nation's most youthful woman mayor in 2012 – told local media.

Koshi argued Japan having a female prime minister will “reduce mental obstacles” for females of all ages, enabling them to believe it is acceptable to “excel” as leaders in businesses and the community, despite gender-based stereotypes and expectations still persist.

However a 20-year-old points out that, while it is remarkable Japan has its first female prime minister, it is important to recall it took her over three decades to get to that office.

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

Ms Hill-Uekawa further states that she ought not be placed on a pedestal just due to the fact she is a female.

“We need to make sure we're talking about her policies. We need to be capable of criticise her fairly as everyone else.”

Political Context and Associations

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

It's also apparent by which individuals her supporters inside the party have were.

She's the protégé of the deceased former hawkish prime minister Shinzo Abe, and was backed in the leadership election by a senior politician – a prominent member in the ruling party at the head of one of the ruling party's most powerful right-wing factions.

Their group's support for Sanae Takaichi was crucial in uniting the conservative wing behind her.

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

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

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

Future Challenges and Anticipations

Achieving this milestone, however, was only the initial of the challenges Takaichi will encounter – not least tackling a sluggish economy and inflation and regaining the confidence of a discontented and irate electorate, as in addition to hosting president Trump within days of taking power.

One can reasonably assume that no-one expects women's rights matters to be a top priority on her priority list.