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To numerous female youth in Japan currently, the image of Sanae Takaichi taking the helm as the nation's inaugural female leader is impactful and influential.

It means a male-oriented culture and a government structure that has historically been controlled by men is currently headed by a woman.

However, although the appearances speak of a progressive moment, some women don't see her as an champion of progress.

“It was quite interesting to see how individuals beyond Japan's borders have reacted to the news,” a 21-year-old says.

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

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

Conversely, the young woman points to her “political beliefs 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 “Iron Lady” of her country.

And like Thatcher, Takaichi is a firm conservative.

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

The leader is against marriage equality and has consistently voted against laws that would allow spouses to have separate surnames, blocking many women from keeping their birth surnames.

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

Nonetheless, she did soften certain her messaging during her campaign – saying she supports giving financial benefits to companies that provide daycare services to their employees and spoke of possible deductions for households investing in childcare.

Yet she has over the years supported the notion of a conventional role for females in society and in the home.

When it comes to gender matters, Takaichi is aligned with her nation's subpar record on gender issues.

Japan's Gender Gap in Context

Women in Japan are some of the best educated and highest qualified in the world and yet they face challenges with the expectations of a traditional culture that still directs them into conventional positions.

Based on the latest equality ranking by the global organization, Japan ranked 118th among 148 nations, with female representation in the field of politics particularly minimal.

Leadership positions have historically been held by men and Japan has faced difficulties to boost the number of women legislators and corporate executives.

The world's fourth largest economic power ranks last among the G7 countries when it comes to the percentage of women in its legislative body. In detail, females constitute about 15.7% of legislators in Japan, the lowest figure among the seven major economies.

It is even slow when it comes to female healthcare: recently was it revealed that the “morning after” pill – a type of post-coital birth control sold over the counter in over ninety countries – had at last been authorized for non-prescription sales in Japan.

Differing Reactions to the Historic Appointment

Nonetheless, some see Takaichi's ascent as a pivotal moment that could change how women perceive their opportunities.

“It is highly meaningful in the new prime minister becoming 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 electing a woman prime minister will “lower mental obstacles” for women and girls, helping them feel it is acceptable to “excel” as authorities in companies and society, even as gender-based stereotypes and expectations still persist.

But a 20-year-old points out that, while it is remarkable Japan has its first female leader, one must remember it required her over three decades to get to that office.

“Additionally, she is not really 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 fairly as all other leaders.”

Ideological Context and Associations

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

It's also apparent by who her supporters inside the party have been.

She's the protégé of the late ex- hawkish prime minister a previous leader, and was endorsed in the leadership election by a senior politician – a prominent member in the ruling party at the head of one of the government's most influential conservative blocs.

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

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

The 21-year-old concurs, stating that with her as a figurehead for females in politics, “people are likely to anticipate the identical from women as too”.

“They will demand women to be compliant, not oppose the beliefs that they hold, and it could render our role more difficult.”

Upcoming Challenges and Anticipations

Achieving this milestone, however, was just the first of the difficulties Takaichi will face – not least tackling a slow growth and inflation and winning back the trust of a discontented and irate voting public, as well as hosting president Trump within days of assuming office.

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