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To numerous female youth in Japan currently, the image of Sanae Takaichi assuming leadership as the nation's first ever female prime minister is powerful and influential.

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

However, although the optics speak of a forward-thinking era, certain females don't see her as an advocate for change.

“It was quite fascinating to observe how people outside Japan 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 significant chance for female advancement and equal rights in Japan’.

“I think that's a very naive interpretation.”

Instead, the young woman highlights her “ideological stance and what she represents,” adding: “She perpetuates the patriarchal system.”

A strong admirer of Margaret Thatcher, Sanae Takaichi has long aspired to be the “Steel Magnolia” of her country.

And like Thatcher, Takaichi is a staunch conservative.

Analysts note 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 marriage equality and has long stood against legislation that would permit married couples to have different last names, blocking many women from retaining their birth surnames.

She's also opposed to women being in line for succession in the imperial family.

However, she did soften some of her messaging during her campaign – stating she favours giving tax incentives to businesses that provide childcare facilities to their staff and mentioned possible deductions for households investing in childcare.

Yet she has historically supported the idea of a more traditional role for women in society and in the home.

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

Japan's Inequality in Perspective

Japanese women are among the best educated and most skilled in the world and yet they struggle with the expectations of a conservative society that still directs them into traditional roles.

According to the latest gender gap index by the World Economic Forum, Japan placed 118th out of among 148 nations, with women's presence in the political arena notably low.

Top roles have traditionally been dominated by men and Japan has faced difficulties to boost the quantity of female lawmakers and business leaders.

The globally fourth biggest economic power ranks at the bottom among the Group of Seven nations when it comes to the share of women in its legislative body. In detail, women make up about 15.7% of legislators in Japan, the lowest figure among the seven major economies.

Progress is also sluggish when it comes to female healthcare: recently was it revealed that the “emergency” pill – a form of post-coital birth control available without prescription in more than 90 countries – had finally been approved for over the counter use in Japan.

Mixed Reactions to the Historic Appointment

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

“There is great significance in Ms Takaichi assuming the role of prime minister, with a wider influence on the public,” Naomi Koshi – who became the nation's youngest female mayor in 2012 – told local media.

She contended Japan electing a female prime minister will “reduce mental obstacles” for females of all ages, enabling them to believe it is normal to “excel” as leaders in businesses and the community, even as biased expectations and expectations still remain.

However Audrey Hill-Uekawa points out that, while it is notable Japan has its inaugural woman leader, one must remember it took her over three decades to reach that position.

“She's also not truly going against the norm. She expresses the same thing as the male politicians.”

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

“It is essential to ensure we're talking about her policies. We need to be able to evaluate her fairly as all other leaders.”

Ideological Background and Influences

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

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

She's the protégé of the late ex- conservative prime minister a previous leader, and was endorsed in the leadership election by a senior politician – a senior figure in the ruling party at the head of one of the government's most influential right-wing factions.

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

“I believe that it is challenging for women to sort of identify with her success because it furthers this notion that we must be compliant with the existing system,” 21-year-old Minori Konishi says.

The 21-year-old agrees, saying that with her as a symbol for females in politics, “the public are going to expect the same from us as too”.

“They will demand us to be conforming, not oppose the ideals that they hold, and it might make our job more difficult.”

Future Obstacles and Expectations

Making history, however, was just the first of the challenges Takaichi will encounter – not least tackling a sluggish economy and inflation and winning back the trust of a frustrated and angry voting public, as in addition to hosting the US leader within days of taking power.

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