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To numerous female youth in Japan currently, the sight of Sanae Takaichi assuming leadership as the country's inaugural 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 woman.

But while the optics speak of a forward-thinking era, certain females don't see her as an champion of progress.

It was rather interesting to see how individuals outside Japan have responded 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 significant chance for women empowerment and gender equality in Japan’.

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

Conversely, Ms Ogura points to her “political beliefs and what she represents,” adding: “She perpetuates the male-dominated structure.”

A strong admirer of Margaret Thatcher, Sanae Takaichi has always wanted to be the “Iron Lady” of her country.

And like Thatcher, Takaichi is a firm conservative.

Analysts note her leadership is a tactical move from the ruling LDP to attract the more conservative base which had recently gravitated towards Japan's more extreme conservative groups.

Takaichi opposes marriage equality and has consistently voted against laws that would permit spouses to have separate surnames, blocking many women from keeping their birth surnames.

Additionally, she is against women being in line for succession in the imperial family.

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

Yet she has historically backed the idea of a more traditional position for females in the community and in the home.

Regarding women's issues, Takaichi is aligned with her nation's less than impressive performance on equality concerns.

Japan's Gender Gap in Context

Women in Japan are some of the most highly educated and most skilled in the globe and yet they face challenges with the expectations of a traditional culture that still directs them into traditional roles.

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

Leadership positions have traditionally been dominated by men and Japan has struggled to boost the number of female lawmakers and business leaders.

The globally fourth biggest economic power places at the bottom among the G7 countries when it comes to the percentage of females in its national parliament. In detail, women constitute about less than 16% of legislators in Japan, the smallest proportion among the seven major economies.

Progress is also sluggish when it comes to women's reproductive health: recently was it revealed that the “emergency” pill – a type of post-coital birth control sold over the counter in over ninety nations – had finally been approved for over the counter use in Japan.

Mixed Reactions to the Historic Appointment

Even so, some see Takaichi's ascent as a critical juncture that could alter how women view their opportunities.

“There is great significance in Ms Takaichi becoming prime minister, with a wider influence on society,” Naomi Koshi – who was elected as the nation's most youthful woman city leader in 2012 – informed Japan's Kyodo news agency.

She contended Japan having a woman prime minister will “reduce mental obstacles” for women and girls, helping them feel it is normal to “excel” as leaders in businesses and the community, even as biased expectations and norms still remain.

But Audrey Hill-Uekawa points out that, while it is remarkable Japan has its inaugural woman leader, one must remember it required her more than 30 years to get to that position.

“Additionally, she is not truly going against the grain. She's saying the identical views as the men.”

The young woman further states that she shouldn't be put on a pedestal simply because she is a female.

“It is essential to make sure we're discussing her policies. We must be capable of criticise her fairly as all other leaders.”

Political Context and Influences

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

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

She was mentored of the deceased former conservative prime minister a previous leader, and was endorsed in the leadership election by Taro Aso – a senior figure in the ruling party at the leadership of one of the government's most influential right-wing factions.

His faction's backing for Sanae Takaichi was pivotal in consolidating the conservative wing in her favor.

“I do feel that it is challenging for females to somewhat identify with her achievement because it promotes this notion that we have to be compliant with the status quo,” 21-year-old a citizen remarks.

The 21-year-old concurs, saying that with her as a figurehead for females in government, “the public are likely to anticipate the same from women as too”.

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

Future Challenges and Anticipations

Making history, however, was only the initial of the challenges Takaichi will face – including addressing a slow growth and inflation and regaining the trust of a discontented and irate electorate, as in addition to hosting the US leader within a short time of assuming office.

It's safe to say that few anticipate women's rights matters to be high on her agenda.