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

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

But while the optics suggest a progressive moment, some women do not view her as an champion of progress.

“It was quite interesting to see how individuals outside Japan have responded to the news,” Ayda Ogura states.

People are saying, ‘wow, she's the first female prime minister in the nation's past and that would be a significant chance for women empowerment and equal rights in Japan’.

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

Instead, Ms Ogura points to her “ideological stance and what she stands for,” adding: “She reinforces the patriarchal system.”

A strong admirer of Britain's first female prime minister, Sanae Takaichi has always wanted to be the “Steel Magnolia” of her nation.

Similar to Thatcher, Takaichi is a staunch right-wing politician.

Observers say her leadership is a tactical move from the ruling LDP 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 consistently voted against legislation that would allow married couples to have separate surnames, preventing many women from retaining their maiden names.

She's also opposed to females being in eligible for the throne in the royal household.

However, she did soften certain her statements during her campaign – stating she favours giving financial benefits to companies that provide childcare facilities to their employees and mentioned possible tax breaks for families spending on child-rearing.

But she has over the years supported the idea of a conventional position for females in society and in the family.

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

Japan's Gender Gap in Context

Japanese women are among the best educated and highest qualified in the world and yet they struggle with the demands of a traditional culture that still directs them into traditional roles.

According to the latest equality ranking by the World Economic Forum, Japan placed 118th among nearly 150 countries, with female representation in the political arena notably low.

Top roles have historically been held by males and Japan has faced difficulties to boost the quantity of female lawmakers and business leaders.

The globally fourth biggest economy places at the bottom among the G7 countries when it comes to the share of women in its legislative body. Specifically, females constitute about less than 16% of lawmakers in Japan, the smallest proportion among the seven major economies.

It is even slow when it comes to female healthcare: recently was it revealed that the “emergency” pill – a type of emergency contraception sold over the counter in over ninety countries – had at last been authorized for over the counter use in Japan.

Differing Responses to the Landmark Appointment

Nonetheless, some see Takaichi's ascent as a critical juncture that could alter how females view their opportunities.

“There is great significance in the new prime minister assuming the role of prime minister, with a broader impact on society,” Naomi Koshi – who was elected as the country's most youthful woman city leader in 2012 – informed local media.

She contended Japan electing a female prime minister will “reduce mental obstacles” for females of all ages, helping them feel it is acceptable to “stand out” as authorities in businesses and the community, even as biased expectations and expectations still remain.

However Audrey Hill-Uekawa notes that, while it is remarkable Japan has its inaugural woman leader, it is important to recall it required her more than 30 years to reach that position.

“Additionally, she is not really challenging the grain. She expresses the identical views as the male politicians.”

Ms Hill-Uekawa adds that she ought not be placed on a platform simply because she is a woman.

“We need to ensure we're talking about her agenda. We must be capable of criticise her fairly as everyone else.”

Ideological Context and Associations

It is not just what Takaichi has said which has led people to label her as a defender of the patriarchy.

Additionally, it is evident by which individuals her supporters inside the party have were.

She's the protégé of the late former conservative prime minister a previous leader, and was backed in the party vote by a senior politician – a senior figure in the LDP at the leadership of one of the government's most powerful conservative blocs.

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

“I believe that it is difficult for females to somewhat relate to her success because it furthers this notion that we have to be obedient with the existing system,” 21-year-old Minori Konishi says.

The 21-year-old concurs, stating that with her as a symbol for women in government, “people are going to expect the identical from us as too”.

“They're going to expect us to be conforming, not go against the beliefs that they hold, and it might make our role harder.”

Future Challenges and Expectations

Achieving this milestone, however, was just the first of the difficulties Takaichi will encounter – including addressing a sluggish economy and rising prices and winning back the trust of a discontented and irate voting public, as well as welcoming the US leader within days of taking power.

One can reasonably assume that few anticipate gender equality issues to be a top priority on her priority list.