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

It means a patriarchal society and a political system that has historically been controlled by men is now led by a woman.

However, although the optics suggest a progressive moment, certain females do not view her as an champion of progress.

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

“Everyone's like, ‘wow, she's the inaugural woman prime minister in the nation's past and that would be a significant chance for female advancement and equal rights in Japan’.

“I think that's a rather simplistic view.”

Instead, the young woman points to her “political beliefs and what she represents,” adding: “She perpetuates the patriarchal system.”

A strong admirer of Britain's first female prime minister, Sanae Takaichi has long aspired to be the “Iron Lady” of her nation.

And like Thatcher, Takaichi is a staunch conservative.

Observers say her ascension is a tactical move 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 marriage equality and has consistently voted against legislation that would permit married couples to have separate surnames, blocking many women from retaining their birth surnames.

Additionally, she is against women being in eligible for the throne in the royal household.

However, she did soften certain her messaging during her election bid – stating she favours giving financial benefits to businesses that provide childcare facilities to their staff and mentioned possible deductions for families investing in childcare.

Yet she has historically backed the notion of a more traditional position for women in society and in the family.

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

Japan's Gender Gap in Perspective

Women in Japan are among the best educated and highest qualified in the globe and yet they face challenges with the demands of a traditional culture that still directs them into traditional roles.

According to the latest equality ranking by the global organization, Japan placed 118th out of among nearly 150 nations, with women's presence in the field of politics notably low.

Top roles have historically been held by men and Japan has faced difficulties to increase the number of female lawmakers and business leaders.

The world's fourth largest economic power places last among the G7 countries when it comes to the percentage of women in its legislative body. Specifically, females constitute about less than 16% of lawmakers in Japan, the lowest figure among the G7.

Progress is also sluggish when it comes to female healthcare: recently was it announced that the “emergency” pill – a form of post-coital birth control sold over the counter in more than 90 nations – had at last been authorized for over the counter use in Japan.

Mixed Responses to the Historic Leadership

Even so, some see Takaichi's rise to power as a pivotal moment that could change how females perceive their prospects.

“There is great significance in the new prime minister assuming the role of prime minister, with a wider influence on society,” Naomi Koshi – who was elected as the nation's youngest female city leader in 2012 – told local media.

Koshi argued Japan having a female prime minister will “reduce mental obstacles” for females of all ages, helping them feel it is normal to “excel” as leaders in businesses and the community, even as biased expectations and expectations still persist.

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

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

Ms Hill-Uekawa further states that she ought not be placed on a platform simply because she is a female.

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

Political Background and Associations

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

Additionally, it is apparent by which individuals her champions inside the party have were.

She's the protégé of the late former conservative prime minister Shinzo Abe, and was endorsed in the leadership election by Taro Aso – a prominent member in the ruling party at the leadership of one of the ruling party's most influential right-wing factions.

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

“I believe that it is difficult for females to sort of identify with her success because it furthers this notion that we must be obedient with the status quo,” 21-year-old Minori Konishi remarks.

The 21-year-old concurs, saying that with her as a symbol for females in government, “people are likely to anticipate the same from us as well”.

“They're going to expect us to be compliant, not go against the beliefs that they hold, and it could render our job harder.”

Future Challenges and Expectations

Making history, however, was only the initial of the difficulties Takaichi will encounter – not least tackling a sluggish economy and rising prices and regaining the confidence of a discontented and irate electorate, as well as hosting president Trump within a short time of assuming office.

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