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For many female youth in Japan today, the image of Sanae Takaichi assuming leadership as the nation's inaugural woman prime minister is powerful and formative.

This signifies a patriarchal society and a political system that has long been dominated by men is now led by a female.

However, although the appearances suggest a forward-thinking era, certain females do not view her as an advocate for change.

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

“Everyone's like, ‘wow, she's the first female prime minister in the nation's past and that would be a great opportunity for women empowerment and equal rights in Japan’.

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

Instead, Ms Ogura highlights her “political beliefs and what she represents,” adding: “She perpetuates 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 firm right-wing politician.

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 parties further to the right.

The leader is against same-sex marriage and has long stood against legislation that would allow married couples to have separate surnames, blocking many females from retaining their birth surnames.

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

Nonetheless, she moderated some of her statements during her campaign – saying she favours giving tax incentives to companies that offer daycare services to their employees and spoke of possible tax breaks for families investing in childcare.

But she has historically backed the notion of a conventional role for women in the community and in the home.

When it comes to women's issues, Takaichi is aligned with her nation's less than impressive performance on equality concerns.

Japan's Inequality in Perspective

Japanese women are some of the most highly educated and highest qualified in the globe and yet they face challenges with the expectations of a conservative society that still pushes them into conventional positions.

Based on the latest gender gap index by the World Economic Forum, Japan placed 118th among 148 countries, with women's presence in the field of politics notably low.

Top roles have traditionally been dominated by males and Japan has faced difficulties to increase the number of women legislators and business leaders.

The world's fourth largest economy ranks at the bottom among the G7 countries when it comes to the percentage of women in its national parliament. In detail, females make up about 15.7% of lawmakers in Japan, the smallest proportion among the G7.

Progress is also sluggish when it comes to women's reproductive health: only this week was it revealed that the “morning after” pill – a type of emergency contraception available without prescription in over ninety countries – had finally been approved for over the counter use in Japan.

Mixed Responses to the Historic Appointment

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

“It is highly meaningful in Ms Takaichi assuming the role of prime minister, with a broader impact on society,” Naomi Koshi – who was elected as the nation's youngest female city leader in 2012 – informed local media.

Koshi argued Japan electing a female prime minister will “reduce mental obstacles” for females of all ages, helping them feel it is normal to “stand out” as leaders in companies and society, even as gender-based stereotypes and expectations still persist.

However a 20-year-old notes that, while it is remarkable Japan has its first female prime minister, one must remember it required her more than 30 years to reach that position.

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

Ms Hill-Uekawa adds that she shouldn't be put 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 need to be capable of evaluate her equally as all other leaders.”

Political Background and Associations

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

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

She's the protégé of the late former conservative prime minister Shinzo Abe, and was endorsed in the party vote by Taro Aso – a prominent member in the ruling party at the head of one of the government's most influential conservative blocs.

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

“I believe that it is difficult for women to somewhat identify with her achievement because it promotes this idea that we must be compliant with the existing system,” 21-year-old a citizen remarks.

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

“They're going to expect us to be conforming, not oppose the beliefs that they have, and it might make our role more difficult.”

Future Obstacles and Anticipations

Making history, though, was only the initial of the challenges Takaichi will face – including tackling a slow growth and rising prices and regaining the confidence of a frustrated and angry voting public, as in addition to welcoming the US leader within a short time of assuming office.

One can reasonably assume that few anticipate women's rights matters to be high on her priority list.