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

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

However, although the optics suggest a progressive moment, certain females don't see her as an champion of progress.

It was rather fascinating to see how people outside Japan have responded to the announcement,” Ayda Ogura states.

“Everyone's like, ‘wow, she's the first female prime minister in Japanese history and that would be a significant chance for female advancement and equal rights in Japan’.

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

Conversely, Ms Ogura points to her “political beliefs and what she stands for,” noting: “She perpetuates the patriarchal system.”

A strong admirer of Margaret Thatcher, Sanae Takaichi has always wanted to be the “Iron Lady” of her nation.

Similar to Thatcher, Takaichi is a staunch conservative.

Analysts note her ascension is a strategic decision from the governing LDP to appeal to the increasingly right-leaning supporters which had recently gravitated towards Japan's more extreme conservative groups.

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

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

Nonetheless, she did soften certain her statements during her election bid – saying she supports giving tax incentives to businesses that provide daycare services to their employees and mentioned potential deductions for families investing in childcare.

But she has over the years supported the idea of a more traditional role for females in society and in the family.

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

The Country's Inequality in Perspective

Japanese women are among the best educated and highest qualified in the globe and yet they face challenges with the demands of a conservative society that still pushes them into traditional roles.

Based on the latest equality ranking by the World Economic Forum, Japan ranked 118th among nearly 150 nations, with female representation in the field of politics notably low.

Top roles have historically been held by males and Japan has struggled to increase the number of women legislators and corporate executives.

The world's fourth largest economic power places last among the G7 countries when it comes to the share of females in its national parliament. Specifically, females constitute about less than 16% of lawmakers in Japan, the smallest proportion among the seven major economies.

Progress is also sluggish when it comes to female healthcare: recently was it announced that the “morning after” pill – a type of emergency contraception available without prescription in more than 90 nations – had finally been approved for over the counter use in Japan.

Mixed Reactions to the Landmark Leadership

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

“It is highly meaningful in Ms Takaichi assuming the role of prime minister, with a broader impact on the public,” Naomi Koshi – who became the country's most youthful woman mayor in 2012 – told local media.

Koshi argued Japan having a woman prime minister will “lower mental obstacles” for women and girls, enabling them to believe it is acceptable to “excel” as leaders in companies and the community, even as gender-based stereotypes and expectations still remain.

But a 20-year-old points out that, while it is remarkable Japan has its inaugural woman prime minister, one must remember it took her more than 30 years to get to that position.

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

Ms Hill-Uekawa further states that she ought not be placed on a pedestal simply because she is a woman.

“It is essential to make sure we're talking about her agenda. We need to be capable of evaluate her equally as all other leaders.”

Ideological Background and Influences

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

Additionally, it is evident by which individuals her champions within the LDP have been.

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

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

“I do feel that it is difficult for women to somewhat identify with her success because it promotes this notion that we have to be obedient with the status quo,” young adult a citizen remarks.

The 21-year-old agrees, stating that with her as a figurehead for women in government, “people are going to expect the same from us 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.”

Future Challenges and Expectations

Achieving this milestone, though, was only the initial of the challenges Takaichi will encounter – including tackling a sluggish economy and inflation and regaining the confidence of a frustrated and irate voting public, as well as hosting the US leader within days of taking power.

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