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To numerous female youth in Japan today, the sight of Sanae Takaichi assuming leadership as the nation's inaugural woman prime minister is powerful and influential.

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

However, although the appearances suggest a progressive moment, certain females do not view her as an advocate for change.

It was rather interesting to observe how individuals beyond Japan's borders have reacted to the announcement,” 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 gender equality in Japan’.

“I think that's a very naive view.”

Instead, Ms Ogura points to her “political beliefs and what she represents,” adding: “She perpetuates the male-dominated structure.”

A big fan of Britain's first female prime minister, Sanae Takaichi has always wanted to be the “Iron Lady” of her country.

And like Thatcher, Takaichi is a firm conservative.

Observers say her ascension is a tactical move from the ruling LDP to appeal to the more conservative base which had recently gravitated towards Japan's more extreme conservative groups.

Takaichi opposes marriage equality and has long stood against legislation that would permit spouses to have different last names, preventing many women from keeping their birth surnames.

Additionally, she is against females being in line for succession in the imperial family.

Nonetheless, she did soften some of her messaging during her election bid – stating she supports giving tax incentives to companies that offer childcare facilities to their employees and mentioned possible tax breaks for households investing in child-rearing.

But she has over the years supported the idea of a conventional position for women in the community and in the home.

Regarding women's issues, Takaichi is consistent with her nation's less than impressive performance on equality concerns.

Japan's Inequality in Perspective

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

According to the latest equality ranking by the World Economic Forum, Japan ranked 118th among 148 countries, with female representation in the field of politics notably low.

Leadership positions have traditionally been dominated by men and Japan has struggled to increase the quantity of women legislators and corporate executives.

The globally fourth biggest economy places last among the G7 countries when it comes to the percentage of women in its legislative body. Specifically, women make up about 15.7% 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 “morning after” pill – a form of post-coital birth control available without prescription in more than 90 nations – had finally been approved for non-prescription sales in Japan.

Differing Responses to the Historic Appointment

Nonetheless, some see Takaichi's ascent as a critical juncture that could change how women view their prospects.

“It is highly meaningful in the new prime minister becoming prime minister, with a wider influence on the public,” Naomi Koshi – who became the nation's youngest female city leader in 2012 – informed local media.

She contended Japan having a woman prime minister will “lower mental obstacles” for women and girls, helping them feel it is normal to “excel” as authorities in companies and society, despite biased expectations and expectations still remain.

However Audrey Hill-Uekawa notes that, while it is remarkable Japan has its first female leader, one must remember it took her more than 30 years to reach that position.

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

The young woman further states that she ought not be placed on a pedestal simply because she is a woman.

“It is essential to ensure 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 said which has led people to label her as a supporter of the male-dominated system.

It's also evident by who her supporters inside the party have were.

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

His faction's backing for Sanae Takaichi was pivotal in uniting the party's right wing in her favor.

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

The 21-year-old concurs, saying that with her as a figurehead for females in politics, “people are going to expect the same from women as too”.

“They're going to expect women to be compliant, not oppose the ideals that they have, and it could render our role harder.”

Upcoming Obstacles and Expectations

Achieving this milestone, though, was just the first of the challenges Takaichi will encounter – not least tackling a slow growth and rising prices and winning back the trust of a frustrated and angry electorate, as in addition to hosting president Trump within a short time of assuming office.

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