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For many female youth in Japan today, the image of Sanae Takaichi taking the helm as the country's first ever female leader is impactful and influential.

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

But while the optics speak of a forward-thinking era, certain females don't see her as an advocate for change.

It was rather interesting to observe how people outside Japan have responded to the news,” a 21-year-old states.

People are saying, ‘wow, she's the inaugural woman prime minister in Japanese history and that would be a significant chance for women empowerment and equal rights in Japan’.

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

Instead, the young woman highlights her “political beliefs and what she represents,” noting: “She reinforces the male-dominated structure.”

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

And like Thatcher, Takaichi is a firm conservative.

Analysts note her ascension is a strategic decision from the ruling LDP to attract the increasingly right-leaning supporters which had lately shifted towards Japan's more extreme conservative groups.

Takaichi opposes marriage equality and has long stood against laws that would allow married couples to have separate surnames, blocking many women from keeping their maiden names.

Additionally, she is opposed to females being in line for succession in the royal household.

However, she did soften some of her statements during her campaign – saying she favours giving financial benefits to businesses that provide daycare services to their employees and spoke of potential tax breaks for households investing in childcare.

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

Regarding gender matters, Takaichi is consistent with her nation's subpar performance on gender issues.

The Country's Gender Gap in Context

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

According to the latest equality ranking by the global organization, Japan placed 118th among nearly 150 nations, with female representation in the political arena notably low.

Leadership positions have historically been held by men and Japan has struggled to boost the number of female lawmakers and corporate executives.

The world's fourth largest economy places at the bottom among the G7 countries when it comes to the share of women in its legislative body. In detail, females make up about less than 16% of lawmakers in Japan, the smallest proportion among the seven major economies.

Progress is also sluggish when it comes to women's reproductive health: only this week was it announced that the “morning after” pill – a type of emergency contraception available without prescription in more than 90 countries – had at last been authorized for over the counter use in Japan.

Differing Responses to the Historic Leadership

Nonetheless, certain individuals view Takaichi's rise to power as a pivotal moment that could change how females perceive their prospects.

“There is great significance in Ms Takaichi becoming prime minister, with a broader impact on the public,” a former mayor – who was elected as the nation's most youthful woman mayor in 2012 – informed local media.

Koshi argued Japan having a woman prime minister will “reduce psychological barriers” for women and girls, helping them feel it is normal to “stand out” as leaders in businesses and the community, even as gender-based stereotypes and expectations still remain.

But a 20-year-old points out that, while it is notable Japan has its inaugural woman leader, one must remember it required her over three decades to get to that position.

“Additionally, she is not truly going against the norm. She's saying the identical views as the men.”

The young woman further states that she shouldn't be put on a platform simply because she is a woman.

“It is essential to ensure we're discussing her policies. We need to be able to evaluate her fairly as everyone else.”

Ideological Context and Influences

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

It's also apparent by who her champions within the LDP have been.

She was mentored of the late former hawkish prime minister Shinzo Abe, and was backed in the party vote by Taro Aso – a senior figure in the ruling party at the leadership of one of the government's most powerful conservative blocs.

Their group's backing for Sanae Takaichi was crucial in consolidating the conservative wing in her favor.

“I do feel that it is challenging for females to somewhat identify with her achievement because it furthers this idea that we must be obedient with the status quo,” 21-year-old Minori Konishi says.

The 21-year-old agrees, stating that with her as a symbol for women in government, “the public are likely to anticipate the identical from us as well”.

“They're going to expect women to be conforming, not oppose the beliefs that they hold, and it might make our job more difficult.”

Future Obstacles and Anticipations

Achieving this milestone, however, was just the first of the challenges Takaichi will encounter – not least addressing a slow growth and rising prices and regaining the trust of a discontented and angry voting public, as in addition to welcoming president Trump within a short time of taking power.

One can reasonably assume that no-one expects gender equality issues to be a top priority on her agenda.