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For many female youth in Japan today, the image of Sanae Takaichi taking the helm as the nation's first ever female prime minister 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 female.

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

It was rather fascinating to see how individuals beyond Japan's borders have reacted to the news,” a 21-year-old states.

People are saying, ‘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 very naive interpretation.”

Instead, the young woman points to her “ideological stance and what she stands for,” noting: “She reinforces the male-dominated structure.”

A big fan of Margaret Thatcher, Sanae Takaichi has always wanted to be the “Iron Lady” of her nation.

Similar to Thatcher, Takaichi is a staunch conservative.

Observers say her ascension is a strategic decision from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party to attract the more conservative supporters which had lately shifted towards Japan's parties further to the right.

The leader is against marriage equality and has consistently voted against laws that would allow married couples to have different last names, preventing many females from retaining their birth surnames.

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

However, she did soften certain her messaging during her campaign – stating she favours giving tax incentives to businesses that offer daycare services to their staff and mentioned possible deductions for households spending on child-rearing.

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

When it comes to women's issues, Takaichi is consistent with her country's less than impressive record on gender issues.

The Country's Inequality in Perspective

Women in Japan are some of the most highly educated and most skilled in the globe and yet they face challenges with the demands of a traditional culture that still pushes them into conventional positions.

Based on the latest gender gap index by the global organization, Japan placed 118th out of among nearly 150 nations, with women's presence in the field of politics notably low.

Leadership positions have historically been held by males and Japan has faced difficulties to boost the number of women legislators and corporate executives.

The globally fourth biggest economic power ranks last among the Group of Seven nations when it comes to the percentage of women in its legislative body. In detail, females make up about less than 16% of legislators in Japan, the smallest proportion 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 emergency contraception available without prescription in over ninety nations – had at last been authorized for non-prescription sales in Japan.

Differing Responses to the Landmark Appointment

Nonetheless, certain individuals view Takaichi's ascent as a critical juncture that could alter how females view their opportunities.

“It is highly meaningful in Ms Takaichi assuming the role of prime minister, with a broader impact on the public,” a former mayor – who became the nation's most youthful woman mayor in 2012 – informed local media.

Koshi argued Japan having a woman prime minister will “lower psychological barriers” for women and girls, helping them feel it is acceptable to “excel” as leaders in companies and society, even as gender-based stereotypes and expectations still remain.

But a 20-year-old points out that, while it is remarkable Japan has its inaugural woman leader, it is important to recall it took her over three decades to get to that position.

“She's also not really going against the norm. She's saying the identical views as the men.”

The young woman further states that she ought not be placed on a platform just due to the fact she is a woman.

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

Ideological Context and Associations

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

It's also evident by which individuals her supporters within the LDP have been.

She's the protégé of the late former hawkish prime minister Shinzo Abe, and was endorsed 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 influential right-wing factions.

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

“I do feel that it is challenging for females to somewhat identify with her success because it promotes this notion that we must be obedient with the status quo,” 21-year-old 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 identical from us as too”.

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

Upcoming Challenges and Anticipations

Making history, however, was just the first of the challenges Takaichi will face – including addressing a slow growth and rising prices and regaining the confidence of a frustrated and irate voting public, as well as hosting the US leader within a short time of assuming office.

One can reasonably assume that few anticipate gender equality issues to be high on her agenda.