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For many female youth in Japan today, the sight of Sanae Takaichi assuming leadership as the nation's inaugural female prime minister is impactful and formative.

This signifies a male-oriented culture and a government structure that has historically been controlled by men is currently headed by a female.

However, although the appearances suggest a forward-thinking era, certain females do not view her as an champion of progress.

“It was quite fascinating to see how individuals beyond Japan's borders have responded to the announcement,” Ayda Ogura states.

People are saying, ‘wow, she's the inaugural woman prime minister in Japanese history and that would be a great opportunity for female advancement and gender equality in Japan’.

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

Conversely, Ms Ogura highlights her “ideological stance and what she stands for,” adding: “She reinforces the patriarchal system.”

A strong admirer of Britain's first female prime minister, Sanae Takaichi has long aspired to be the “Iron Lady” of her country.

Similar to Thatcher, Takaichi is a staunch conservative.

Analysts note her ascension is a tactical move from the ruling LDP to appeal to the increasingly right-leaning supporters which had recently gravitated towards Japan's parties further to the right.

Takaichi opposes same-sex marriage and has long stood against laws that would permit spouses to have separate surnames, preventing many females from retaining their maiden names.

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

Nonetheless, she moderated some of her statements during her election bid – saying she supports giving tax incentives to companies that offer childcare facilities to their staff and spoke of possible tax breaks for households investing in childcare.

Yet she has over the years backed the notion of a conventional position for women in society and in the home.

Regarding gender matters, Takaichi is consistent with her country's less than impressive record on equality concerns.

The Country's Inequality in Perspective

Women in Japan are among the best educated and highest qualified in the globe and yet they struggle with the expectations of a conservative society that still pushes them into conventional positions.

According to the latest gender gap index by the World Economic Forum, Japan ranked 118th among nearly 150 nations, with women's presence in the field of politics particularly minimal.

Top roles have traditionally been dominated by men and Japan has faced difficulties to increase the quantity of women legislators and corporate executives.

The globally fourth biggest economy places at the bottom among the Group of Seven nations when it comes to the share of women in its legislative body. In detail, women make up about less than 16% of lawmakers in Japan, the lowest figure among the G7.

It is even slow when it comes to female healthcare: only this week was it announced that the “morning after” pill – a type of post-coital birth control sold over the counter in more than 90 nations – had at last been authorized for non-prescription sales in Japan.

Differing Reactions to the Landmark Leadership

Even so, certain individuals view Takaichi's ascent as a pivotal moment that could alter how women perceive 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 nation's most youthful woman mayor in 2012 – told Japan's Kyodo news agency.

She contended Japan electing a female prime minister will “reduce mental obstacles” for females of all ages, helping them feel it is acceptable to “stand out” as leaders in companies and the community, despite biased expectations and expectations still persist.

But Audrey Hill-Uekawa notes that, while it is remarkable Japan has its inaugural woman prime minister, one must remember it took her more than 30 years to reach that office.

“Additionally, she is not really challenging the norm. She expresses 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 able to evaluate her equally as all other leaders.”

Ideological Context and Influences

It is not just what Takaichi has stated which has led people to label her as a supporter of the male-dominated system.

It's also evident by who her champions inside the party have been.

She's the protégé 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 LDP at the head of one of the ruling party's most powerful conservative blocs.

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

“I believe that it is challenging for women to somewhat relate to her success because it furthers this notion that we have to be compliant with the status quo,” 21-year-old Minori Konishi says.

Ms Ogura agrees, saying that with her as a figurehead for females in politics, “people are going to expect the same from women as well”.

“They're going to expect women to be conforming, not go against the beliefs that they hold, and it could render our role harder.”

Upcoming Obstacles and Expectations

Making history, however, was just the first of the challenges Takaichi will encounter – not least tackling a slow growth and rising prices and winning back the confidence of a discontented and irate electorate, as well as hosting president Trump within days of taking power.

It's safe to say that no-one expects women's rights matters to be a top priority on her priority list.