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For many female youth in Japan today, the image of Sanae Takaichi taking the helm as the nation's inaugural 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 woman.

But while the appearances speak of a forward-thinking era, some women don't see her as an advocate for change.

“It was quite interesting to observe how people outside Japan 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 women empowerment and gender equality in Japan’.

“I think that's a very naive interpretation.”

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

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

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

Observers say her ascension is a strategic decision from the governing LDP to appeal to the more conservative base which had lately shifted towards Japan's more extreme conservative groups.

Takaichi opposes same-sex marriage and has long stood against legislation that would permit married couples to have different last names, blocking many women from retaining their birth surnames.

Additionally, she is opposed to females being in eligible for the throne in the royal household.

Nonetheless, she did soften some of her messaging during her election bid – stating she supports giving tax incentives to companies that provide daycare services to their employees and spoke of potential tax breaks for households investing in childcare.

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

Regarding gender matters, Takaichi is aligned with her country's subpar record on equality concerns.

The Country's Inequality in Perspective

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

According to the latest equality ranking by the World Economic Forum, Japan ranked 118th out of among 148 countries, with women's presence in the political arena notably low.

Leadership positions have traditionally been dominated by males and Japan has faced difficulties to boost the quantity of women legislators and business leaders.

The globally fourth biggest economy places last among the Group of Seven nations when it comes to the share of women in its national parliament. Specifically, women 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 women's reproductive health: only this week was it revealed that the “emergency” pill – a type of post-coital birth control sold over the counter in more than 90 countries – had finally been approved for over the counter use in Japan.

Mixed Responses to the Historic Leadership

Even so, some see Takaichi's ascent as a pivotal moment that could change how females view their opportunities.

“It is highly meaningful in Ms Takaichi assuming the role of prime minister, with a broader impact on society,” Naomi Koshi – who was elected as the nation's youngest female mayor in 2012 – informed local media.

She contended Japan having a female prime minister will “lower psychological barriers” for women and girls, helping them feel it is acceptable to “stand out” as authorities in businesses and the community, even as biased expectations and norms still persist.

However a 20-year-old notes that, while it is remarkable Japan has its inaugural woman prime minister, it is important to recall it required her over three decades to reach that position.

“She's also not truly challenging the norm. She expresses the same thing as the men.”

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 discussing her policies. We must be capable of evaluate her fairly as all other leaders.”

Political Context and Associations

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

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

She's the protégé of the deceased former hawkish prime minister Shinzo Abe, and was endorsed in the party vote by Taro Aso – a senior figure in the ruling party at the head of one of the government's most influential right-wing factions.

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

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

Ms Ogura concurs, saying that with her as a symbol for females in government, “people are going to expect the same from women as too”.

“They're going to expect us to be compliant, not go against the ideals that they hold, and it might make our role more difficult.”

Upcoming Obstacles and Expectations

Achieving this milestone, though, was just the first of the challenges Takaichi will encounter – not least addressing a slow growth and inflation and regaining the confidence of a discontented and angry 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 a top priority on her priority list.