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

It means a male-oriented culture and a government structure that has long been dominated by men is now led by a female.

But while the appearances speak of a progressive moment, certain females don't see her as an champion of progress.

“It was quite interesting to see how individuals beyond Japan's borders have responded to the announcement,” Ayda Ogura states.

People are saying, ‘wow, she's the inaugural woman prime minister in Japanese history and that would be a significant chance for female advancement and gender equality in Japan’.

In my opinion that's a very naive interpretation.”

Conversely, the young woman highlights her “political beliefs and what she represents,” noting: “She perpetuates the patriarchal system.”

A big fan of Margaret Thatcher, Sanae Takaichi has long aspired to be the “Iron Lady” of her country.

And like Thatcher, Takaichi is a firm right-wing politician.

Analysts note her ascension is a strategic decision from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party to attract the more conservative supporters which had recently gravitated towards Japan's parties further to the right.

The leader is against marriage equality and has long stood against laws that would permit married couples to have separate surnames, blocking many women from retaining their maiden names.

She's also against women being in eligible for the throne in the imperial family.

However, she moderated certain her messaging during her campaign – saying she supports giving financial benefits to companies that provide childcare facilities to their staff and mentioned potential deductions for households spending on child-rearing.

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

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

The Country's Gender Gap in Perspective

Japanese women are some of the most highly educated and most skilled in the globe and yet they struggle with the demands of a traditional culture that still directs them into conventional positions.

Based on the latest equality ranking by the World Economic Forum, Japan ranked 118th out of among 148 nations, with women's presence in the political arena particularly minimal.

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

The world's fourth largest economy places last among the Group of Seven nations when it comes to the share of women in its legislative body. Specifically, women constitute about 15.7% of lawmakers in Japan, the lowest figure among the seven major economies.

Progress is also sluggish when it comes to female healthcare: only this week was it revealed that the “morning after” pill – a form of emergency contraception sold over the counter in over ninety nations – had finally been approved for non-prescription sales in Japan.

Differing Reactions to the Historic Leadership

Even so, some see Takaichi's rise to power as a critical juncture that could alter how women perceive their prospects.

“There is great significance in the new prime minister becoming prime minister, with a broader impact on society,” a former mayor – who became the country's most youthful woman city leader in 2012 – informed local media.

Koshi argued Japan electing a female prime minister will “reduce psychological barriers” for females of all ages, helping them feel it is acceptable to “stand out” as authorities in companies and the community, even as gender-based stereotypes and expectations still persist.

However Audrey Hill-Uekawa notes that, while it is notable Japan has its first female leader, one must remember it took her over three decades to reach that office.

“Additionally, she is not really going against the grain. She expresses the same thing as the male politicians.”

Ms Hill-Uekawa adds 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 agenda. We must be capable of criticise her equally as all other leaders.”

Ideological Background and Associations

It is not only what Takaichi has stated which has led people to label her as a supporter of the patriarchy.

Additionally, it is evident by who her supporters within the LDP have were.

She was mentored of the deceased ex- hawkish prime minister a previous leader, and was backed in the party vote by a senior politician – a prominent member in the ruling party at the leadership of one of the government's most powerful conservative blocs.

Their group's backing for Sanae Takaichi was crucial in uniting the conservative wing behind her.

“I do feel that it is challenging for women to sort of identify with her success because it furthers this idea that we must be obedient with the existing system,” young adult a citizen says.

Ms Ogura agrees, saying that with her as a symbol for women in politics, “the public are going to expect the same from us as well”.

“They will demand women to be conforming, not go against the beliefs that they hold, and it could render our job harder.”

Future Challenges and Anticipations

Achieving this milestone, though, was just the first of the challenges Takaichi will face – including addressing a slow growth and rising prices and winning back the trust of a frustrated and irate electorate, 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 priority list.