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For many female youth in Japan today, the image of Sanae Takaichi assuming leadership as the nation's inaugural female leader is powerful and formative.

This signifies a male-oriented culture and a political system that has long been dominated by men is currently headed by a female.

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

It was rather fascinating to observe how individuals outside Japan have reacted to the news,” Ayda Ogura says.

People are saying, ‘wow, she's the inaugural woman prime minister in the nation's past and that would be a significant chance for women empowerment and gender equality in Japan’.

In my opinion that's a very naive view.”

Instead, the young woman points to her “political beliefs and what she stands for,” adding: “She reinforces the male-dominated structure.”

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

Similar to Thatcher, Takaichi is a firm conservative.

Observers say her leadership is a tactical move from the governing Liberal Democratic Party to appeal to the increasingly right-leaning base which had recently gravitated towards Japan's parties further to the right.

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

She's also opposed to women being in line for succession in the royal household.

Nonetheless, she did soften certain her messaging during her campaign – saying she supports giving financial benefits to companies that provide childcare facilities to their employees and spoke of potential tax breaks for households spending on child-rearing.

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

Regarding gender matters, Takaichi is aligned with her nation's subpar record on gender issues.

Japan's Inequality in Context

Women in Japan are some of the most highly educated and most skilled in the globe and yet they struggle with the expectations of a traditional culture that still pushes them into conventional positions.

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

Top roles have traditionally been dominated by men and Japan has struggled to boost the number of women legislators and corporate executives.

The globally fourth biggest economic power places last among the G7 countries when it comes to the share of females in its national parliament. Specifically, females make up about less than 16% of legislators in Japan, the smallest proportion among the G7.

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 emergency contraception sold over the counter in over ninety countries – had at last been authorized for non-prescription sales in Japan.

Differing Reactions to the Landmark Appointment

Nonetheless, certain individuals view Takaichi's rise to power as a critical juncture that could change how women view their opportunities.

“There is great significance in Ms Takaichi assuming the role of prime minister, with a wider influence on the public,” Naomi Koshi – who became the country's most youthful woman city leader in 2012 – told Japan's Kyodo news agency.

She contended Japan electing a female prime minister will “lower psychological barriers” for women and girls, helping them feel it is normal to “excel” as leaders in companies and society, even as gender-based stereotypes and expectations still remain.

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

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

The young woman further states that she ought not be placed on a platform simply because she is a female.

“We need to ensure we're discussing her policies. We need to be capable of evaluate her fairly as all other leaders.”

Ideological Context and Associations

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

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

She's the protégé of the deceased ex- conservative prime minister Shinzo Abe, and was endorsed in the leadership election by a senior politician – a senior figure in the LDP at the leadership of one of the government's most influential right-wing factions.

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

“I believe that it is challenging for females to sort of identify with her achievement because it promotes this idea that we have to be compliant with the status quo,” young adult a citizen says.

Ms Ogura agrees, stating that with her as a symbol for females in politics, “people are likely to anticipate the same from us as too”.

“They will demand us to be compliant, not oppose the ideals that they hold, and it might make our role harder.”

Future Obstacles and Anticipations

Making history, though, was only the initial of the challenges Takaichi will face – not least tackling a slow growth and inflation and winning back the trust of a frustrated and angry electorate, as well as hosting president Trump within a short time of assuming office.

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