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For many female youth in Japan today, the sight of Sanae Takaichi assuming leadership as the country's first ever female leader is impactful and influential.

This signifies a patriarchal society and a government structure that has historically been controlled by men is now led by a woman.

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

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

“Everyone's like, ‘wow, she's the first female 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 very naive view.”

Conversely, the young woman points to her “ideological stance and what she stands for,” adding: “She perpetuates the patriarchal system.”

A big fan of Britain's first female prime minister, Sanae Takaichi has long aspired to be the “Steel Magnolia” of her country.

Similar to Thatcher, Takaichi is a staunch conservative.

Observers say her ascension is a tactical move from the governing Liberal Democratic Party to appeal to the more conservative base which had recently gravitated towards Japan's parties further to the right.

Takaichi opposes marriage equality and has long stood against legislation that would permit spouses to have separate surnames, blocking many women from keeping their maiden names.

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

However, she did soften some of her statements during her campaign – saying she supports giving tax incentives to businesses that offer childcare facilities to their staff and mentioned potential tax breaks for families investing in child-rearing.

But she has over the years supported the notion of a more traditional role for women in society and in the home.

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 highest qualified in the world and yet they struggle with the expectations of a conservative society that still directs them into conventional positions.

Based on the latest gender gap index by the global organization, Japan ranked 118th among 148 countries, with female representation in the field of politics notably low.

Top roles have traditionally been dominated by men and Japan has struggled to boost the number of women legislators and business leaders.

The globally fourth biggest economy places at the bottom among the G7 countries when it comes to the percentage of women in its national parliament. Specifically, females make up about 15.7% of lawmakers 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 announced that the “morning after” pill – a type of emergency contraception available without prescription in over ninety nations – had finally been approved for over the counter use in Japan.

Differing Responses to the Landmark Leadership

Even so, some see Takaichi's ascent as a pivotal moment that could change how women perceive their prospects.

“There is great significance in Ms Takaichi assuming the role of prime minister, with a broader impact on the public,” Naomi Koshi – who became the country's youngest female city leader in 2012 – informed local media.

She contended Japan having a woman prime minister will “lower psychological barriers” for women and girls, enabling them to believe it is normal to “stand out” as authorities in businesses and society, despite biased expectations and norms still remain.

However a 20-year-old points out that, while it is notable Japan has its first female prime minister, one must remember it took her over three decades to get to that office.

“Additionally, she is not truly challenging the norm. She expresses the same thing as the men.”

Ms Hill-Uekawa adds that she shouldn't be put on a platform just due to the fact she is a female.

“We need to ensure we're discussing her policies. We must be able to evaluate her equally as all other leaders.”

Political Background and Influences

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

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

She's the protégé of the deceased ex- conservative prime minister Shinzo Abe, and was backed in the party vote by Taro Aso – a senior figure in the ruling party at the leadership of one of the ruling party's most powerful conservative blocs.

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

“I do feel that it is challenging for women to somewhat relate to her success because it promotes this notion that we have to be obedient with the existing system,” young adult Minori Konishi says.

Ms Ogura concurs, stating that with her as a symbol for women in politics, “people are going to expect the identical from women as well”.

“They will demand us to be compliant, not go against the beliefs that they have, and it might make our job more difficult.”

Upcoming Obstacles and Expectations

Making history, however, was just the first of the challenges Takaichi will face – not least addressing a slow growth and inflation and regaining the trust of a discontented and irate voting public, as well as hosting president Trump within days of assuming office.

One can reasonably assume that no-one expects gender equality issues to be high on her agenda.