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

It means a patriarchal society and a government structure that has long been dominated by men is currently headed by a female.

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

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

“Everyone's like, ‘wow, she's the first female 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 rather simplistic interpretation.”

Conversely, Ms Ogura highlights her “ideological stance and what she represents,” adding: “She perpetuates the male-dominated structure.”

A strong admirer of Margaret Thatcher, Sanae Takaichi has long aspired to be the “Iron Lady” of her country.

And like Thatcher, Takaichi is a staunch conservative.

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

Takaichi opposes same-sex marriage and has consistently voted against laws that would permit married couples to have separate surnames, blocking many females from keeping their birth surnames.

Additionally, she is opposed to females being in eligible for the throne in the imperial family.

However, she did soften some of her messaging during her campaign – stating she supports giving tax incentives to businesses that offer daycare services to their employees and mentioned possible tax breaks for households spending on childcare.

Yet she has over the years backed the notion of a more traditional role for women in the community and in the home.

When it comes to women's issues, Takaichi is consistent with her nation's subpar performance on equality concerns.

Japan's Inequality in Context

Japanese women are some of the best educated and highest qualified in the world and yet they face challenges with the demands of a traditional culture that still pushes them into traditional roles.

Based on the latest gender gap index by the World Economic Forum, Japan ranked 118th among nearly 150 nations, with female representation in the political arena notably low.

Top roles have traditionally been dominated by men and Japan has faced difficulties to boost the quantity of women legislators and business leaders.

The world's fourth largest economic power ranks at the bottom among the G7 countries when it comes to the share of females in its legislative body. In detail, females 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 “emergency” pill – a form 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 Reactions to the Landmark Leadership

Even so, some see Takaichi's rise to power as a pivotal moment that could alter how females view their prospects.

“There is great significance in the new prime minister assuming the role of prime minister, with a broader impact on society,” a former mayor – who became the country's youngest female city leader in 2012 – told Japan's Kyodo news agency.

She contended Japan having a female prime minister will “lower psychological barriers” for females of all ages, enabling them to believe it is normal to “excel” as leaders in businesses and society, even as biased expectations and expectations still persist.

But Audrey Hill-Uekawa points out that, while it is remarkable Japan has its inaugural woman leader, one must remember it required her more than 30 years to get to that office.

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

Ms Hill-Uekawa adds that she ought not be placed on a platform just due to the fact she is a female.

“It is essential to make sure we're discussing her agenda. We must be capable of criticise her equally as everyone else.”

Ideological Context and Associations

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

It's also apparent by which individuals her supporters within the LDP have were.

She was mentored of the late ex- conservative prime minister a previous leader, and was backed in the party vote by Taro Aso – a prominent member in the LDP at the head of one of the government's most influential right-wing factions.

Their group's support for Sanae Takaichi was pivotal in consolidating the party's right wing in her favor.

“I believe that it is difficult for females to sort of identify with her success because it furthers this notion that we have to be compliant with the status quo,” young adult a citizen remarks.

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

“They will demand us to be conforming, not oppose the beliefs that they have, and it could render our role harder.”

Upcoming Obstacles and Anticipations

Making history, however, was only the initial of the difficulties Takaichi will face – including tackling a sluggish economy and inflation and regaining the confidence of a frustrated and irate electorate, as in addition to welcoming president Trump within days of taking power.

One can reasonably assume that no-one expects women's rights matters to be high on her priority list.